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Historical  and   Pliilosopliical 
Society  of  Oliio. 


Zeisberger's  Diary, 

1781-1798. 


NEW   SERIES— VOL.   II. 


t'oliiliiill.',"  of   ri(Mii'i))ioi|. 


.Ill MUM  int!.\i'ii:ii, 
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MAN  NINO    I'',   jt'oiKiK. 


I  >  I  A   i  ^.  ^ 


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|)A  V  I  I)  'AK\^\'>K[i(.  1:H 


A    MORAVIAN    MIHHIONAKV 


/\M()N(i  'INK    INDIANS   OK  OHIO 


'n<ANM|,A'l'l';i»    I'KdM    Till;  <(|(|(i|NAI,(IKHMAN    M  A  N  I'SCKI  I'T 

AM'  i;iM'n;i» 


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CINCINNATI 

no  II  K  irr  c'l.A  n  k  m  a   (•(» 

I'MIt   nil'    lllrtTOIlM'AI.  ANlt   rUU.OSOI'int'AI    soi-IKTY   OI'  OHIO 

I  SHft 


^ 


PREFACE. 


The  chief  object  of  publishing   Zeisberger's  Diary  is  of  course 
the  furtherance  of  the  study  of  American  history,  and  certainly 
the  "work  will  be  found  to  contain  much  in  regard  to  the  relations 
existing  between  the  English  and  Indians  in  the  fifteen  years  pre- 
ceding the  cession  of  the  Western  Posts  to  the  United   States  in 
1796.     If  I  am  not  mistaken,  however,  the  work  will  be  equally 
interesting   from  a  psychological  point  of  view.      The   action  of 
,       white   men  upon  Indians,  Christians  upon  heathen,  the  civilized 
~      upon  savages,  can  well  be  studied  in  these  pages.     Here  and  there 
,1     also  can  be  observed  the  reaction  of  the  Indian  upon  the  white. 

^         My  ambition  as  translator  has  been  simply  to  render  the  German 

c 

I  o  manuscript  as  nearly  like  the  original  as  the  diflfering  idioms  of 
the  German  and  the  English  would  permit.  Where  Zeisberger  has 
"^  left. a  sentence  without  logical  conclusion,  I  have  done  likcAvise,  nor 
c^  have  I  thought  it  needful  to  call  the  reader's  attention  to  the  fact ; 
^'  in  the  same  way,  if  he  has  repeated  a  word,  generally  I  have  done 
-?  the  same.  My  failure,  however,  has  been  in  reproducing  the  easy 
^     and  lucid  style  of  the  original. 

0^  The  German  word  which  I  have  rendered  brethren,  in  the  orig- 
^-  inal  includes  both  sexes,  and  in  my  translation  it  will  some- 
ro  times  occur  with  sistex'S  in  apposition  ;  it  seemed  better  thus  to  use 
the  word  than  to  depart  too  far  from  the  text.  It  should  perhaps 
be  said  that  where  brothers  is  used  without  qualification,  the  word 
refers  usually  to  the  missionaries,  or  to  the  whole  body  of  clergy 
of  the  Moravian  Church.  All  words  or  phrases  marked  with  paren- 
theses, thus  (  ),  are  my  explanations  or  interpolations,  Zeisber- 
ger's parenthetical  expressions  being  otherwise  denoted. 

The  collects,  or  verses  from  hymns,   often  given  after  the  Scrip- 
ture-verse or  text,  have  seldom  been  translated    literally,   but  in 

(V) 


Vi  PREFACE. 

preference  I  have  selected  corresponding  verses  from  the  Moravian 
hymn-book  now  in  use,  or  from  the  earlier  editions  of  1832,  and  a 
few  from  the  English  edition  of  "  Daily  Words"  for  1785. 

In  conclusion,  I  have  to  thank  many  friends  for  advice  and  sugges- 
tions and  the  loan  of  books.  To  several  gentleman,  who  were  per- 
fect strangers  to  me,  I  am  indebted  for  information  about  various 
matters,  acknowledgment  of  which   is  made  in  the  proper  places. 

Above  all  I  must  express  my  gratitude  to  the  Right  Reverend 
Edmund  de  Schweinitz,  Bishop  of  the  Moravian  Church  at  Bethle- 
hem, Pa.  His  "  Life  and  Times  of  David  Zeisberger"  has  been 
my  guide  in  the  whole  course  of  my  labor ;  it  is  a  book  which 
leaves  nothing  to  be  desired  in  the  ground  it  goes  over,  and  its 
Geographical  Glossary  has  been  invaluable  to  me.  My  brief  sketch 
of  Zeisberger's  life,  given  in  the  introduction,  is  almost  entirely 
taken  from  this  book.  I  have  to  thank  Bishop  de  Schweinitz  also 
for  the  loan  of  parallel  manuscripts,  for  personal  advice  and  assist- 
ance, and  for  many  letters.  E.  F.  B. 

Cincinnati,  May  20,  1885. 


INTRODUCTION 


I,     The  Manuscript. 

The  "Zeisberger  Manuscript,"  as  it  has  commonly 
been  called,  was  presented  to  the  Historical  and  Phil- 
osophical Society  of  Ohio,  probably  in  1854,  by  Judge 
Ebenezer  Lane.^  January  10th  of  that  year  he  lectured 
before  the  Young  Men's  Mercantile  Library  Association 
of  Cincinnati,  and  the  records  of  that  Association  show 
that  at  the  same  time  there  was  presented  to  them  by  the 


^  "Ebenezer  Lane  was  born  at  Northampton,  Massachusetts,  Septem- 
ber 17th,  1793.  He  studied  at  Leicester,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
entered  Harvard  College,  graduating  with  high  honors  in  1811.  He 
then  entered  the  office  of  Judge  Matthew  Griswold  at  Lyme,  Connect- 
icut, where  he  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1814.  ,In 
September  of  that  year  he  located  at  Norwich  and  practiced  there  and 
(in)  other  small  places,  until  his  removal  to  Ohio  in  1817.  In  1818 
Mr.  Lane  married  Frances  Ann,  daughter  of  Governor  Roger  Griswold, 
of  Connecticut.  The  same  year  he  located  at  Elyria.  In  1819  he  re- 
moved to  Norwalk,  and  was  almost  immediately  chosen  Prosecuting 
Attorney  for  Huron  County.  In  1824  Mr.  Lane  was  chosen  Judge  of 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  the  Second  Judicial  Circuit.  Six  years 
later  he  was  chosen  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  occupying  a  seat 
upon  the  bench  of  that  Court  until  his  resignation  in  February,  1845. 
In  1842  he  changed  his  residence  to  Sandusky.  Judge  Lane  was  a  re- 
markable man.  He  was  a  diligent  student,  not  only  of  the  law,  but  of 
history  and  science.  His  opinions  have  given  him  a  national  reputa- 
tion. He  died  of  cancer  in  the  throat  at  Sandusky,  June  12th,  1866." 
Alfred  T.  Goodman  in  Western  Reserve  Hist.  Soc.  Hist,  and  Ai'ch, 

Tracts,  No.  2,  p.  5. 

(vii) 


VIU  INTRODUCTION. 

Guadenhiitten  Monument  Association,  through  the  Hon. 
Jacob  Blickensderfer,  another  manuscript  of  Zeisberger's, 
a  Delaware  translation  of  liturgies  and  hymns. 

The  following  inscription  is  written  on  the  first  page  of 
the  manuscript: 

The  Diary  of  David  Zeisberger, 
A  Moravian  Missionary, 
whose  last  60  years 
were  devoted    • 
to  preaching 
To  the  Indians  at  Gnadenhiitten, 
Ohio. 
His  Biography  may  be  found 
in  Loskiel,  Heckewelder,  etc. 
The  journal    commences   while  on   the   journey   from 
Gnadenhiitten  to  Upper  Sandusky,  a  few  days  after  he 
and  his  companions  were  forced  from  their  mission  station. 
The  last  entries  are  1797.     He  died,  1808,  and  lies  interred 
at  the  Moravian  burial-place,  in  Tuscarawas  County. 

The  members  of  the  Moravian  Society  have  placed  this 
volume  at  my  disposal,  and  in  their  name  I  deposit  it  in 
the  Archives  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Ohio. 

E.  Lane. 
The  trifling  error  of  expression  in  the  sixth  line,  and  the 
mistake  of  using  1797  for  1798  will  be  noted. 

The  manuscript  makes  a  stout  volume  of  eight  hundred 
and  sixty-nine  pages,  each  page  being  nine  inches  by  six 
and  one-half  nearly.  Generally,  the  writing  is  easily  read, 
the  chief  difliculty  arising  from  interlineations  and  mar- 
ginal notes.  A  few  pages  give  trouble  from  the  fading  of 
the  ink,  and  others  from  its  spreading,  evidently  from 
dampness.     Only   one   page   has    suffered    essential   loss. 


ZEISBERGER.  IX 

and,  fortunately,  this  could  be  supplied  from  the  Beth- 
lehem MSS.^ 

From  the  Bethlehem  manuscripts  I  have  seen,  it  is  my 
impression  that  a  copy  of  this  Diary  was  not  sent  to  Beth- 
lehem, but  merely  extracts  from  it,  and  that  this  might  be 
called  Zeisberger's  private  journal.  There  are  frequently 
expressions  of  hope  and  fear,  and  pious  ejaculations,  which 
I  do  not  remember  to  have  seen  in  the  parallel  Bethlehem 
manuscripts. 

The  first  thirty  pages  of  this  Diary — the  first  twenty- 
eight  in  this  translation — as  far  as  Oct.  25, 1781,  were  pub- 
lished in  German  in  the  Deutsche  Pioneer  of  Cincinnati 
(November,  '73-April,  '74),  but  with  many  inaccuracies 
and  omissions. 

II.     Zeisberger. 

David  Zeisberger  was  born  at  the  little  village  of  Zauch- 
tenthal,  in  the  eastern  part  of  Moravia,  on  Good  Friday, 
April  11th,  1721.  His  father  and  mother,  David  and 
Rosina  Zeisberger,  when  young  David  was  five  years  old, 
fled  their  native  country  and  went  to  Saxony,  urged  to  this 
flight  by  the  desire  for  freedom  in  their  worship  of  God. 
Here  for  a  few  years  they  remained  at  Herrnhut,  upon  an 
estate  of  Count  Zinzendorf,  so  well  known  in  the  history 
of  the  Moravian  church,  but  in  the  year  1786  they  emi- 
grated to  America  and  established  themselves  in  Georgia, 
in  Oglethorpe's  new  colony,  with  other  Moravians,  to 
whom  had  been  given  a  tract  of  five  hundred  acres  upon 
the  Ogeechee  River.  Their  son,  however,  was  left  in 
school  at  Herrnhut,  but  soon  he  was  taken  to  Holland  to 
a  Moravian  colony  near  Utrecht.  He  was  now  fifteen 
years  old,  and  found  the  rigid  discipline  of  the  place  too 

1  See  Vol.  I.,  p.  285. 


X  1       INTRODUCTION. 

severe ;  besides,  he  was  falsely  accused  of  theft.  With  a 
companion  of  his  own  age  he  ran  away,  and  landed  in 
England,  having  no  wish  to  leave  the  church,  but  simply 
to  escape  what  were  to  him  the  persecutions  of  the  Hol- 
land colony.  In  London  he  made  the  acquaintance  of 
General  Oglethorpe,  enlisted  his  sympathy,  and  by  him 
was  aided  to  reach  Georgia.  Before  he  sailed  he  con- 
scientiously wrote  to  Heckewelder,  a  clergyman  among 
the  Utrecht  Moravians,  the  father  of  John  Heckewelder, 
so  often  to  be  mentioned  in  this  Diary,  and  set  forth  to 
him  the  reasons  for  his  conduct. 

Zeisberger  could  have  found  no  better  place  of  appren- 
ticeship for  his  future  life  of  Indian  missionary  than  in 
the  infant  colony  of  Georgia.  Probably  his  early  years  in 
Europe  had  not  been  years  of  luxury,  but  his  life  in  the 
Georgia  wilderness  strens^thened  his  feelinsr  of  self-re- 
liance,  a  quality  of  which  he  certainly  had  shown  no 
lack  when  he  fled  to  England.  The  life  of  a  pioneer  gave 
vigor  to  his  body,  while  his  mind  and  heart  were  kindly 
influenced  by  his  intimacy  with  Peter  Boehler,  the  Ger- 
man clergyman,  by  whom  John  Wesley  was  converted. 

In  the  year  1740  Zeisberger  was  one  of  the  little  com- 
pany of  eleven  persons  who  formed  a  settlement  in  ISTorth- 
ampton  County,  Pa.,  at  the  "Forks  of  the  Delaware," 
having  been  driven  from  Georgia  by  a  threatened  invasion 
of  Spaniards  from  Florida.  Nor  could  the  exiles  long  re- 
main here,  but  the  next  year  they  found  an  abiding-place 
at  Bethlehem,  which  has  ever  since  remained  the  centre  of 
Moravian  influence  in  this  country.  Zeisberger  was  now 
twenty  years  old,  fond  of  out-door  sports,  strong  and 
active.  He  was  attached  to  his  mode  of  life  and  to  the 
country,  and  was  filled  with  sorrow  when  he  was  chosen 
as  one  of  those  who  were  to  return  to  Europe.     Bishop 


ZEISBEKGER.  XI 

Nitscbmann  noticed  his  despondency  and  inquired  its 
cause.  To  him  Zeisberger  confessed  :  "  I  long  to  be  truly 
converted  to  God,  and  to  serve  him  in  this  country." 
Both  these  longings  were  satisfied,  and  his  visit  to  Europe 
was  delayed  for  seven  years. 

In  the  year  1744  Zeisberger  became  a  member  of  a  class 
of  young  men  formed  in  Bethlehem  to  study  Indian  lan- 
guages, under  the  instruction  of  Christopher  Pyrlaeus, 
and  early  the  next  year  he  set  out  for  the  Mohawk  coun- 
try to  perfect  himself  in  the  Mohawk  language.  With 
him  was  the  celebrated  Frederick  Post.  They  were  re- 
garded by  the  English  colonial  government  as  spies  in  the 
French  interest,  arrested,  and  thrown  into  prison  in  Al- 
bany. They  were  shamefully  treated,  but  released  after 
imprisonment  of  nearly  two  months.  ISTot  at  all  discour- 
aged by  this  unfortunate  beginning,  Zeisberger  was  ready 
to  make  another  attempt  to  reach  the  Indian  country. 
His  companion  was  Schebosh,  so  often  to  be  mentioned 
in  this  Diary,  and  the  two  were  the  assistants  of  Bishop 
Spangenberg.  Late  in  May  they  left  Bethlehem,  passed 
a  week  in  what  is  now  Berks  County,  Pa.,  preaching  the 
Gospel  to  the  Indians,  and  about  the  middle  of  June, 
after  a  weary  journey  through  the  wilderness,  reached 
Onondaga,  the  capital  of  the  Iroquois  Confederacy.^  The 
Moravians  accomplished  their  object  in  this  journey,  and 
obtained  permission  from  the  Iroquois  to  begin  an  Indian 
mission  at  "Wyoming.  Zeisberger's  life  thus  far  may  be 
regarded  as  an  education  for  his  future  vocation.  The 
stern  discipline  of  his  boyhood,  his  hardy,  but  self-reliant 
life  in  Oglethorpe's  colony,  his  persecution  by  the  civil 
authorities,  and  this  last  journey  to  the  lakes  of  Western 

^Here  Zeisberger  was  adopted  into  the  tribe  of  the  Onondagas,  re- 
ceiving the  name,  Ganousseracheri,  or,  On  the  Pumpkin. 


XU  INTRODUCTION. 

New  York,  taught  him  to  what  he  must  look  forward  and 
how  to  bear  his  trials. 

From  1745  to  1750  Zeisberger  was  employed  in  several 
ways.  He  kept  up  his  study  of  Indian  languages ;  with 
Mack  he  explored  the  River  Susquehanna  in  a  region  where 
the  Indians  were  perishing  from  hunger  and  pestilence; 
he  served  as  interpreter  to  John  de  Watteville  in  his  visi- 
tation of  the  Lehigh  Valley,  and  was  ordained  by  him  to 
the  ministry  in  February,  1749  ;  he  was  sent  to  Shamokin, 
near  Suubury,  in  Northumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  a  post  of 
difficulty  and  danger,  where  the  Iroquois  combined  the 
vices  of  civilization  and  of  barbarism  ;  from  this  place  he 
was  summoned  to  a  conference,  and  as  a  result  of  this 
was  sent  as  interpreter  for  Cammerhofi"  upon  a  mission  to 
Onondaga,  again  to  make  arrangements  for  a  mission 
among  the  Iroquois.  They  found  the  Indians  in  no  con- 
dition for  receiving  an  embassy,  and  to  pass  the  time  un- 
til the  Onondaga  council  should  become  sober,  they  re- 
solved to  visit  the  Senecas.  Cammerhoff  was  seized  with 
violent  fever,  the  Senecas  were  as  dissolute  and  drunken 
as  the  Indians  they  had  left  behind  them  in  Onondaga, 
and  Zeisberger  had  occasion  to  make  use  of  all  his  pow- 
ers of  body  and  mind.  Upon  their  return  to  Onondaga 
they  got  permission  from  the  Council  for  two  Moravians 
to  live  among  the  Iroquois.  They  went  back  to  Bethle- 
hem, after  an  absence  of  over  three  months,  having  trav- 
elled in  all  upwards  of  sixteen  hundred  miles. 

In  the  year  1750,  Zeisberger  and  Nathaniel  Seidel  were 
commissioned  to  visit  Europe  in  order  to  report  to  the 
mother-church  the  condition  and  hopes  of  the  Indian 
mission.  They  sailed  Sept.  2d,  met  with  tremendous  gales 
in  their  voyage,  and  landed  in  England  after  a  passage  of 
seventy-eight  days.     Zeisberger  was  in  Europe  six  months, 


ZEISBERGER.  Xlll 

passing  much  of  the  time  in  Herrnhut,  in  the  society  of 
Count  Zinzendorf,  by  whom  he  was  appointed  perpetual 
missionary  among  the  Indians.  In  June,  1751,  he  aud 
Seidel  sailed  for  ISTew  York,  where  they  arrived  late  in 
September,  and  four  days  later  he  was  in  Bethlehem. 
The  rest  of  this  year  and  half  of  the  next,  Zeisberger  was 
busy  in  many  places  preaching  the  Gospel  to  the  Indians, 
especially  in  the  Susquehanna  Valley. 

In  July,  1752,  Zeisberger  again  visited  Onondaga,  one 
of  the  two  Moravians  who,  in  accordance  with  permission 
given  at  his  last  visit,  were  to  reside  with  the  Iroquois. 
He  had  already  been  adopted  among  them,  and  now  he 
took  up  his  abode  with  them,  studied  their  ways  of  life 
and  manner  of  thought,  their  superstitions,  their  conduct 
of  war,  their  methods  of  speech,  and  hereby  acquired  a 
knowledge  of  Indian  character  which  in  after  years  were 
to  be  invaluable  to  him.  Several  times  he  returned  to 
Bethlehem,  but  at  last,  in  June,  1755,  the  mission  among 
the  Iroquois  had  to  be  given  up,  owing  to  the  difficulties 
between  the  English  aud  the  French.  Now  began  all  the 
horrors  of  Indian  border  warfare.  Villages  were  plundered 
and  burnt,  men  were  scalped,  women  and  children  carried 
away  in  captivity.  In  vain  the  missionaries  tried  to 
pursue  an  even  way.  Among  the  colonists  they  were  ac- 
cused of  having  a  secret  understanding  with  the  French, 
and  in  a  time  of  great  excitement  the  distinction  be- 
tween Indians  and  Indians  was  lost.  On  the  other  hand, 
tbe  savages  often  regarded  the  converted  Indians  as 
whites.  The  awful  massacre  upon  the  Mahony  occurred 
November  24,  1755,  where  ten  persons  perished  at  the 
hands  of  French  Indians.  Zeisberger  came  near  losing 
his  life  there.  He  was  on  his  way  to  the  Mahony  settle- 
ment, just  crossing  the  river,  when  he  heard  cries  of  dis- 


XIV  INTRODUCTION. 

tress ;  he  turned  back  barely  in  time  to  save  his  life, 
rode  at  once  to  Bethlehem,  where  he  announced  the  dread- 
ful news  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  25th.  So 
great  was  the  disturbance  caused  by  war  that  no  at- 
tempt was  made  for  the  next  six  years  to  preach  the 
Gospel  to  the  Western  Indians  ;  the  Moravians  had  to  be 
content  with  keeping  up  their  missions  in  the  east.  In 
this  service  Zeisberger  was  for  the  greater  part  of  this 
time  employed.  Twice  as  messenger  of  the  Mission  Board 
he  visited  ITorth  Carolina,  once  he  went  to  New  England 
and  for  several  months  labored  at  Pachgatgoch,  near  the 
present  town  of  Kent,  in  Connecticut.  He  was  also  inter- 
preter for  the  government  in  treaties  with  Indians.  The 
most  quiet  time  in  his  whole  life  was  the  fifteen  months 
he  passed  at  Litiz,  Pa.,  as  superintendent  of  the  brethren's 
bouse  there.  In  the  intervals  of  this  active  life  he  was 
at  work  upon  an  Iroquois  grammar  and  an  Iroquois-Ger- 
man  dictionary. 

Peace  was  made  between  France  and  England,  Nov.  3, 
1762,  and  the  latter  country  became  undisputed  owner  of 
vast  inland  territories  of  the  present  United  States.  The 
Moravians  were  at  once  ready  to  continue  their  efforts  for 
the  conversion  and  civilization  of  the  Indians.  Before  the 
conclusion  of  peace  in  1762,  Zeisberger  made  two  jour- 
neys to  Wyoming,  once  as  envoy  from  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
to  the  chief  of  the  Delaware  nation.  He  came  back  the 
second  time,  because  of  a  petition  to  the  Mission  Board 
that  a  teacher  should  be  sent  to  Wyoming  to  live  there 
permanently.  The  following  year  he  repeated  his  visit  to 
the  valley  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  was  for  a  short  time 
missionary  at  the  Indian  town,  Machiwihilusing,  on  the 
Susquehanna,  opposite  Sugar  Run,  but  the  massacres  in 
the  Pontiac  War  induced  the  Mission  Board  to  recall  him. 


ZEISBERGER.  XV 

to  Bethlehem.  ITow  for  two  years,  1763,  1764,  was  a  time 
of  trial  for  the  Moravian  Church.  The  whites  could  not 
distinguish  between  the  converted  and  the  savage  Indians. 
l«[ot  only  were  the  western  missions  abandoned,  but  those  in 
the  east  were  almost  blotted  out.  One  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  Christian  Indians  were  carried  away  to  Philadelphia, 
and  after  shameful  treatment  from  the  hands  of  the  mob 
were  finally  quartered  at  Province  Island.  Zeisbergeraud 
Grube  were  with  them,  but  from  the  illness  of  the  latter 
Zeisberger's  burdens  were  doubled.  He  must  serve  not 
only  as  minister,  but  as  superintendent.  His  energy  was 
equal  to  the  task,  and  he  saw  that  his  flock  was  provided 
for,  to  use  a  frequent  expression  of  his  own,  "  outwardly 
and  inwardly." 

In  the  year  1765,  the  survivors  of  this  little  band  jour- 
neyed to  the  proposed  station  at  Machiwihilusing  Led  by 
Zeisberger,  early  in  April,  they  set  out.  There  were  no 
roads,  and  the  journey  was  of  inconceivable  hardship. 
They  could  hardly  go  five  miles  a  day,  they  suffered  from 
hunger,  they  encountered  the  danger  of  a  forest  in  flames. 
This  journey  of  perhaps  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles 
used  up  five  weeks.  The  town  was  laid  out  and  built. 
Some  opposition  on  the  part  of  the  Iroquois  was  over- 
come by  the  eloquence  of  Zeisberger,  who  spoke  as  an 
Iroquois  by  adoption.  The  town  doubled  its  population 
in  less  than  two  years.  There  was  a  great  religious 
awakening  among  the  Indians.  "  Qpon  wild  Indians  in 
particular  descended  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  They 
came  from  far  and  near,  and  represented  different  na- 
tions." ' 

In  the  year  1767  Zeisberger  visited  the  Delaware  Indians 
living  at   Goschgosghiink   on   the   Alleghany  River,   by 

^  De  Schweinitz'  Life  of  Zeisberger,  p.  312. 


XVI  INTRODUCTION. 

whom  he  was  kindly  received,  and  who  sent  by  him  to  the 
Mission  Board  a  request  that  a  resident  missionary  should 
be  sent  them.  Toward  the  middle  of  June  of  the  follow- 
ing year,  Zeisberger  and  Senseraann  appeared  among  them, 
accompanied  by  three  families  of  Christian  Indians.  "What 
especial  troubles  they  met  with  from  lack  of  food,  from 
illness,  from  the  hostility  of  Indian  sorcerers,  from  the 
hatred  of  backsliders,  need  not  here  be  recounted.  They 
are  the  same  which  are  to  be  found  in  the  Diary  herewith 
published.  The  most  distinguished  convert  was  Glikkikan, 
though  he  was  not  baptized  till  over  a  year  later.  In  the 
year  1770  this  mission  was  transferred  to  the  Beaver  River, 
on  the  banks  of  which  Friedensstadt  was  founded.  In 
July  Zeisberger  was  formally  adopted  among  the  Mousey 
tribe  of  the  Delawares,  an  event  to  which  reference  is  sev- 
eral times  made  in  the  Diary.  In  October  Jungmann  be- 
came a  member  of  the  mission.  Zeisberger,  accompanied 
by  several  Indian  brethren,  made  his  first  visit  to  Ohio 
in  March,  1771,  going  to  the  capital  of  the  Delawares, 
Gekelemukpechiink,  in  the  present  Oxford  Township, 
Tuscarawas  Co.,  where  he  was  the  guest  of  the  chief, 
Netawatwes.  The  next  year  we  find  Zeisberger  at  Beth- 
lehem urging  upon  the  church  authorities  there  the  im- 
portance of  establishing  a  mission  in  Ohio.  They  agreed 
with  him,  and  gave  him  John  Heckewelder  as  assistant. 
With  five  families  of  Indians  the  two  Brothers  founded 
Schonbrunn,^  or  Thuppeklink,  as  Zeisberger  is  apt  to  call 
the  place.  This  mission  flourished,  and  soon  Gnadenhiitten 
was  founded.  Chapels  were  erected  in  both  places.  Comfort- 
able houses  were  built,  orchards  planted,  fields  cultivated. 
Nor  was  the  Gospel  preached  to  the  Delawares  alone.  The 
Shawanese,   ITanticokes,    Mohicans,    and    two    or    three 


^  See  note  p.  2. 


ZEISBERGER.  XVll 

other  Indian  tribes  were  represented ;  even  the  Cherokees 
contributed  one  member,  who  was  a  captive  among  the 
Delawares.  Zeisberger  continued  his  literary  labors  also, 
and  Easter  morning,  1774,  his  Delaware  version  of  the 
Litany  for  that  day  was  used. 

There  now  followed  two  years  of  great  prosperity,  in 
spite  of  troubles  from  "Lord  Dunmore's  War,"  and  conse- 
quent hostilities  among  the  Indians.  The  chiefs  of  the 
Delawares  furthered  the  progress  of  the  Gospel,  doubtless 
with  a  view  on  the  part  of  some  of  them  of  worldly  pros- 
perity. The  Christian  Indians  were  held  to  be  a  constitu- 
ent part  of  the  Delaware  nation.  Schonbrunn  grew  into 
a  thriving  village,  with  well  cultivated  fields,  the  Indians 
becoming  husbandmen  as  well  as  hunters.  Gnadenhiitten 
was  hardly  less  prosperous.  Lichtenau  was  founded  not 
far  from  the  Delaware  town  of  Goschachgiink  [Coshocton], 
in  order  that  the  word  of  God  might  be  immediately 
preached  to  the  Indians.^    One  chief,  however,  was  adverse, 


^  The  reader  may  be  interested  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jones'  account  of 
what  he  saw  at  Schonbrunn  in  Feb.,  1773.  He  was  a  Baptist  minister 
from  Freehold,  N.  J.,  and  at  the  time  of  his  visit  to  the  Moravian 
town  he  was  making  a  missionary  tour  on  the  "west  side  of  the  Ohio 
River."  This  extract  is  taken  from  Sabin's  Reprint  of  1865,  p.  92: 
"These  Indians  moved  here  about  August,  1772,  and  have  used  such 
frugality  that  they  have  built  neat  log  houses  to  dwell  in  and  a  good 
house  for  divine  worship,  about  twenty-two  feet  by  eighteen,  well 
seated,  and  a  good  floor  and  chimney.  Their  conduct  in  time  of  wor- 
ship is  praiseworthy.  Their  minister,  the  Reverend  David  Siezberger, 
seems  an  honest  man,  a  native  of  Moravia,  nor  has  he  been  many  years 
in  this  country.  He  has  been  successful  among  these  poor  heathens, 
condescending  for  their  sake  to  endure  hardship.  While  I  was  pres- 
ent he  used  no  form  of  prayer,  which  was  not  pleasing  to  me,  therefore 
asked  him  if  that  was  their  uniform  practice.  He  replied  that  some- 
times prayer  was  used.  Their  worship  began  and  ended  with  singing 
a  hymn  in  the  Indian  language,  which  was  performed  melodiously. 
B 


XVIU  INTRODUCTION. 

Capt.  Pipe,  who,  with  a  number  of  his  followers,  left  the 
men  of  his  tribe  and  returned  to  the  country  about  Lake 
Erie.  He  alleged  that  he  feared  the  hostility  of  the 
Iroquois  would  be  excited  by  their  new  plans,  not  that  he 
was  opposed  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel. 

After  this  period  of  prosperity  came  the  troubles  of  the 
War  of  the  Revolution.  The  Christian  Indians  were 
placed  between  the  rival  influences  of  Detroit  and  of  Ft. 
Pitt,  the  English  and  her  rebellious  colonists.  These  were 
times  of  alternate  hope  and  despair,  made  worse  by  dis- 
cord among  the  missionaries  themselves.  Zeisberger  for 
the  greater  part  of  the  time,  1776-1781,  was  at  the  new 
town,  Lichtenau,  whither  all  the  converts  were  at  one 
time  called.  They  returned,  however,  to  the  Tuscarawas 
in  the  vear  1779,  and  New  Schonbrunn^  was  built,  and 


In  the  evening  they  met  again  for  worship,  but  their  minister,  inad- 
vertently or  by  design,  sjjoke  in  the  German  language,  so  that  by  me 
nothing  was  understood.  Mr.  Siezberger  told  me  that  near  eighty 
families  belong  to  their  two  towns,  and  there  were  two  ministers 
besides  himself  I  was  informed  that  one  of  them,  whose  name  is 
Youngmann,  is  a  person  of  good  abilities.  In  the  evening  informed 
Mr.  Siezberger  that  it  would  gratify  me  to  preach  to  his  Indians.  He 
replied  with  some  appearance  of  indifference  that  an  opportunity 
might  be  had  in  the  morning.  '  Tis  probable  he  was  a  little  afraid  to 
countenance  me,  lest  some  disciples  might  be  made,  than  which  noth- 
ing was  more  foreign  from  my  intention.  Or  his  reservedness  may  be 
ascribed  to  his  natural  disposition."  The  next  morning,  however,  Mr. 
Jones'  journal  shows  us  that  his  desire  to  pi-each  to  our  Indians  was 
gratified.  The  curious  reader  will  be  entertained  by  Mr.  Jones'  re- 
marks upon  following  pages  about  Easter  and  Christmas  and  his  hor- 
ror that  "  Mr.  Siezberger  "  should  teach  the  Indians  the  observance  of 
these  days. 

^  In  the  note  given  on  p.  2,  Vol.  1,  by  inadvertence  the  situation  of 
Schonbrunn,  and  not  of  New  Schonbrunn,  was  given.  The  latter  place 
was  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  somewhat  over  a  mile  from  Old 
Schonbrunn. 


ZEISBERGER.  XIX 

Salem  the  next  year.  The  Delawares  were  generally  well 
disposed  to  the  Americans,  and  for  this  reason  the  English 
urged  the  other  Indians  to  a  campaign  against  them.  The 
means  of  getting  accurate  information  were  few,  and  war 
often  hung  upon  the  chances  of  a  false  rumor.  How  much 
the  Delawares  were  influenced  for  neutrality  by  the  inter- 
vention of  the  missionaries  cannot  be  overestimated.  At 
one  time  the  opportune  arrival  of  Heckewelder  with  news 
of  Burgoyne's  surrender  turned  the  scales  for  peace. 

Zeisberger  had  passed  a  part  of  the  summer  of  1775  in 
Bethlehem,  and  now,  1781,  he  returned  there,  making  his 
last  visit  "  to  the  church."  He  was  at  this  time  sixty  years 
old,  and  had  been  too  busily  occupied  with  the  afiairs  of 
the  missions  to  think  much  of  promoting  his  own  personal 
comfort  and  happiness.  JSTo  thought  of  marriage  seems 
to  have  come  to  him,  and  now,  in  taking  a  wife,  he  rather 
yielded  to  the  advice  of  his  friends  than  to  his  own  im- 
pulse. He  married,  June  4th,  1781,  Susan  Lecron,  at 
Litiz,  Pa.  ShQ  had  been  a  Lutheran  in  religion,  but  in 
Litiz  had  joined  the  Moravian  church.  She  had  reached 
the  age  of  thirty-tive,  her  husband's  junior  by  twenty-five 
years.  She  is  now  and  then  mentioned  in  this  Diary,  and 
generally  called  "  Sister  Susanna."  She  could  not  but 
have  known  to  what  a  life  of  privation,  self-sacrifice,  and 
danger  she  was  giving  herself,  and  is  deserving  of  the 
greater  praise  that  she  could  have  been  deceived  by  no  in- 
tensity of  passion.^     A  week  after  their  marriage,  Zeis- 

^  Hildreth,  in  his  Contributions  to  the  History  of  the  North-west,  p. 
115,  says:  "  Whom  he  (Zeisbei'ger)  married  does  not  appear,  but  females 
who  could  venture  so  far  in  the  wilderness  among  hostile  savages 
must  have  possessed  the  spirit  of  a  Deborah,  and  the  courage  of  a 
Miriam."  After  the  death  of  her  husband,  1808,  Mrs.  Zeisberger  re- 
mained nearly  a  year  in  Goshen,  Ohio,  when  she  retired  to  Bethlehem 
and  died  there  in  Sept.,  1824,  eighty  years  old. 


XX  INTRODUCTION. 

berger  and  liis  wife  set  out  upon  their  westward  journey, 
and  reached  Schonbrunn  in  the  middle  of  July.  At  this 
time  the  Diary  which  follows  begins. 

We  are  met  at  the  outset  by  the  question  how  far  the 
English  and  their  Indian  allies  were  right  in  their  asser- 
tion that  the  missionaries  gave  notice  to  the  American 
settlers  of  intended  inroads.  It  will  be  noticed  that  at  tbe 
very  beginning  of  the  Diary,  Zeisberger  expresses  his  sat- 
faction  that  his  diaries,  letters,  and  other  writings  fell 
into  the  flames  and  not  into  strange  hands.^  Why 
this  satisfaction  if  they  contained  nothing  ofiensive  to 
English  eyes  ?  In  Vol.  II  of  the  Olden  Times,  p.  396,  is 
published  a  letter  of  Daniel  Brodhead,  then  in  command 
of  the  Western  Department,  in  which  he  speaks  of  letters 
he  has  received,  that  have  convinced  him  the  enemy  is  ap- 
proaching in  force.  At  the  end  we  find  "  P.  S.  the  letters 
received  are  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Zeisberger,  an  honest  man 
and  faithful  correspondent,  but  his  name  must  remain  a 
secret,  lest  his  usefulness  may  be  destroyed."  It  is  hard 
to  conceive  how  a  humane  man  could  have  done  less  than 
give  notice  of  these  savage  incursions,  but  the  fact -seems 
indisputable. 

There  is  no  need  to  set  forth  here  the  captivity,  tbe 
tedious  journeyings,  the  troubles  of  war  and  of  famine, 
the  founding  of  the  various  Indian  towns,  and  the  petty 
details  of  daily  life  of  the  next  seventeen  years — these 
will  all  be  found  in  the  following  pages. 

The  last  entry  in  the  Diary,  is  made  Sunday,  May  27, 
1798,  in  the  town  of  Fairfield,  on  the  Thames.  Zeisberger 
remained  there  until  the  middle  of  August,  when  accom- 
panied by  thirty-three  brethren,  he  departed  for  the  Tus- 

ipp.  1,2. 


ZEISBERGER.  XXI 

carawas  Yalley,  where  lie  founded  Goshen,  within  the 
limits  of  the  present  Goshen  Township.  Here  he  passed 
the  remaining  ten  years  of  his  life.  Though  an  old  man  he 
kept  up  as  far  as  possible  his  former  manner  of  life.  He 
performed  the  daily  duties  of  a  missionary.  Besides,  he 
was  a  teacher  of  Indian  languages  to  young  missionaries, 
and  continued  his  labors  in  translating  various  religious 
works  into  the  Indian  language.  It  is  sad  to  record  that 
his  latter  years  were  made  weary  by  the  vices  of  the  In- 
dians about  him.  He  longed  for  rest.  He  died  ISTov.  17, 
1808,  in  his  eighty-eighth  year. 

Zeisberger's  literary  labors  have  occasionally  been  men- 
tioned in  this  brief  sketch  of  his  life.  Besides  his  volu- 
minous diaries,  of  which  this  herewith  published  is  but 
one,  he  wrote  a  history  of  the  Indians,  which,  unfortun- 
ately, has  never  been  printed  ;  lexicons  and  grammars 
of  the  Onondaga  language ;  a  dictionary  in  German  and 
Delaware,  various  glossaries  and  vocabularies,  and  many 
translations  into  Delaware  of  hymn-books,  liturgies,  and 
sermons.  Brinton  ^  calls  him,  "  The  principal  authority  on 
the  Delaware  language,  whose  long  and  devoted  labors 
may  be  accepted  as  fixing  the  standard  of  the  tongue." 
De  Schweinitz  devotes  Chap.  XLYII  of  his  Life  of  Zeis- 
berger  to  an  enumeration  of  his  published  and  manuscript 
works. 

In  person  his  biographer  ^  tells  us  that  Zeisberger  was 
of  small  'Stature,  but  well  porportioned  ;  that  his  face, 
though  marked  by  the  exposure  of  hardy  life,  was  cheer- 
ful and  pleasing ;  that  his  dress  was  plain  and  neat.  He 
had  acquired  the  Indian  habit  of  taciturnity,  and  when  he 

^Brinton's  The  Lenape  and  their  Legends,  p.  76. 

^  Bishop  de  Schweinitz  in  his  Life  of  Zeisberger,  p.  680. 


XXll  INTRODUCTION. 

spoke  his  address  was  often  such  as  he  might  have  given 
at  an  Indian  council. 

His  life  seems  a  sad  one.  It  was  his  fate  to  labor  among 
a  hopeless  race.  In  his  last  years  he  could  see  no  lasting 
monument  of  his  long  labor.  Even  the  Indian  converts 
immediately  about  him  were  a  cause  of  sorrow  to  him. 
ISTor  could  the  prospect  have  seemed  better  at  any  of  the 
time  covered  by  this  Diary.  The  greater  praise  then  to 
his  activity,  his  cheerfulness,  his  patience  with  his  erring 
converts,  his  contempt  of  danger,  his  forethought  for 
others,  and  his  perfect  sacrifice  of  self. 

III.     Zeisberger's  Fellow-Laborers. 

At  the  time  this  Diary  begins  there  were  in  the  Mus- 
kingum Valley  six  missionaries,  Zeisberger,  Heckewelder, 
Sensemann,  Edwards,  Jung,  and  Jungmann.     Jung  and 
Edwards  were  unmarried,  the  others  had  their  wives  with 
them,  and  two  of  them  had  young  children.     Jungmann 
was  the  oldest,  being  sixty-one  years  old,  Zeisberger  one 
year   his    junior,    and   Edwards   four,   Heckewelder   and 
Jung  were  of  the  same  age,  each  thirty-eight,  and  Sense- 
mann two  years  younger.     In  spite  of  the  hardships  of 
their   missionary  life,  with  the  exception  of  Sensemann, 
they  all  lived  to  extreme  old  age,  Edwards  dying  at  the 
age  of  seventy-seven,  Heckewelder  in  his  eightieth  year, 
and  the  others  several  years  older. 

As  regards  the  character  of  his  associates,  Zeisberger 
gives  us  so  little  color  that  I  find  it  hard  to  form  any  defin- 
ite idea  of  these  self-sacrificing  men,  or  to  distinguish  one 
from  another,  except  in  the  case  of  Heckewelder,  where 
many  other  lights  are  thrown  upon  the  picture  than  are 
afforded  by  this  Diary.    For  the  very  reason,  however,  that 


SENSBMANN JUNGMANN.  XXlll 

80  much  is  said  of  him,  I  have  felt  less  need  of  saying  any 
thing. 

GoTTLOB  Sensemann  was  born  Oct.  9,  1745.  His  father, 
Joachim  Sensemaun,  had  also  been  a  missionary  among 
the  Indians,  and  his  mother,  Anna  Catharine,  was  one  of 
the  victims  of  the  massacre  on  the  Mahony,  in  l^ovember, 
1755,  when  his  father  narrowly  escaped  sharing  the  same 
fate.  Gottlob  had  been  Zeisberger's  companion  in  several 
journeys  among  the  Indians  of  the  Susquehanna  Valley 
and  in  Western  'New  York.  With  Zeisberger  he  went 
also  to  Goschgoschiink,  1768,  and  shared  with  him  the 
perils  and  the  success  of  his  sojourn  there.  In  the  year 
1780  he  came  to  the  Muskingum,  and  was  stationed  at 
Schonbrunn.  From  this  place,  with  the  others,  he  was 
carried  away  to  the  Sandusky,  1781.  While  our  Indians 
were  settled  on  Clinton  River  in  Michigan,  Sensemann 
returned  to  Bethlehem,  but  rejoined  the  mission  at  New 
Salem,  Ohio,  having  been  away  from  May  17,  1785,  to 
Nov.  9th,  1790.  During  the  rest  of  the  time  included  in 
this  Diary,  he  remained  with  the  Indian  church,  though,  in 
the  year  1793,  he  made  a  journey  to  Niagara  upon  business 
of  the  mission.  He  often  preached  to  the  whites  in  Can- 
ada, who  were  settled  near  Fairfield,  and  had  to  decline 
their  proposition  of  being  elected  to  the  Assembly.  At 
Fairfield  also  he  died,  Jan.  4th,  1800,  while  yet  in  the 
prime  of  life.  He  was  often  the  school-master  of  the  sta- 
tion, and  perhaps  the  progress  of  the  pupils  was  as  much 
due  to  the  excellence  of  their  teacher  as  to'their  own  appli- 
cation, though  Zeisberger  attributes  it  to  the  latter.  He 
was  eloquent  in  speech  and  energetic  in  action. 

John  George  Jungmann  came  to  America  with  his 
father  in  the  year  1731,  being  then  a  boy  of  eleven  years. 
At  Oley,  Berks  Co.,  Pa.,  where  his  parents  settled,  he  be- 


XXIV  INTRODUCTION. 

came  a  convert  to  the  Moravians  against  the  opposition  of 
his  family.  1745  he  married  the  widow  of  Gottlob  Biittner, 
who  had  died  in  February  of  the  same  year.  He  served 
the  church  in  many  ways  and  in  various  places,  until  in 
the  year  1770  he  became  Zeisberger's  assistant  on  the 
Beaver,  and  when  Zeisberger  went  to  Ohio  to]  found  the 
first  Christian-Indian  town,  Jungmann  was  left  in  charge 
of  this  mission.  The  next  year  we  find  him  at  Schon- 
brunn,  and  there  he  remained  for  five  years,  until  during 
the  trouble  of  1777  it  was  thought  best,  especially  on  his 
wife's  account,  that  he  should  return  to  Bethlehem.  In 
the  year  1781  he  and  his  wife  were  Zeisberger's  compan- 
ions, when  the  latter,  after  his  marriage,  went  back  to  his 
Indian  mission.  He  shared  all  the  sorrows  and  hardships 
of  the  Indian  church  recorded  in  this  Diary  up  to  the 
time  of  his  final  return  "  to  the  church."  This  occurred 
May  17,  1785,  Sensemann  going  to  Bethlehem  at  the  same 
time.  Jungmann  was  now  sixty-five  years  old,  and  was 
retired  from  active  service.  He  lived  in  Bethlehem  the 
remaining  eleven  years  of  his  life,  and  died  July  17,  1808, 
being  over  eighty-eight  years  old. 

Michael  Jung  was  sent  to  the  Muskingum  mission 
just  a  year  before  this  Diary  begins.  He  was  born  Jan. 
5,  1743,  came  to  America,  1751,  with  his  parents,  who  set- 
tled in  Maine,  where  he  became  a  Moravian.  He  went  to 
Bethlehem,  1767,  and  stayed  there  till  he  went  to  the 
Muskingum.  He  was  absent  from  the  mission  nearly 
four  years,  leaving  it  when  it  was  at  New  Gnadenhiitten, 
Michigan,  and  rejoining  it  when  it  was  already  on  the  way 
to  Pettquotting.  He  then  remained  with  the  Christian 
Indians  until  the  year  1813,  when,  after  the  battle  of  the 
Thames,  Fairfield  was  overrun  by  the  Americans,  and  our 
Indians  fled  from  fear.     Jung  then  retired  to  Litiz,  quite 


EDWARDS — HECKEWELDER.  XXV 

broken  by  his  many  labors,  and  in  Litiz  he  died,  near  the 
end  of  the  year  1826. 

William  Edwards  was  by  birth  an  Englishman,  a  native 
of  Wiltshire,  where  he  was  born  April  24,  1724.  Bred  in 
the  English  church,  he  became  a  convert  of  the  Moravians 
when  he  was  twenty-five  years  old,  and  soon  afterwards 
emigrated  to  America.  He  became  Zeisberger's  associate 
at  Lichtenau,  in  l!^ovember,  1776,  and  he  remained  with 
him  during  all  the  course  of  this  Diary.  With  Hecke- 
welder  he  led  in  1798  a  portion  of  the  Fairfield  congrega- 
tion back  to  the  valley  of  the  Muskingum,  whither  Zeis- 
berger  followed  in  less  than  three  months.  Here  at  the 
town  they  founded,  Goshen,  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  life. 
Though  worn  out  by  the  infirmities  of  age,  he  was  unwilling 
to  return  to  the  States ;  he  preferred  to  die  among  his  dear 
Indians.  Like  Zeisberger  himself,  if  he  had  given  much 
to  the  Indians,  he  had  also  received  much  in  return.  He 
died  Oct.  8,  1801. 

John  Gottlieb  Ernestus  Heckewelder  was  born  at  Bed- 
ford, England,  March  12,  1743.  His  father  was  a  German 
exile,  and  we  have  already  had  occasion  to  mention  him 
in  speaking  of  Zeisberger's  life  in  Holland.  In  the  year 
1754  the  family  came  to  America,  father,  mother,  and  four 
children.  In  1758  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  cedar-cooper, 
with  whom  he  remained  four  years,  and  then  became  Fred- 
erick Christian  Post's  companion  in  his  second  visit  to  the 
Muskingum  in  the  year  1762.  He  was  Zeisberger's  assistant 
in  the  Susquehanna  Yalley  in  1765,  and  to  him  for  a  time 
was  given  charge  of  the  Machiwihil using  mission.  During 
the  following  nineteen  years  he  was  much  of  the  time  a 
fellow-laborer  with  Zeisberger.  Heckewelder  was  the 
founder  of  Salem,  on  the  Tuscarawas,  and  in  the  chapel 
there,  July  4,  1780,  he  married  Sara  Ohneberg,  the  ven- 


XXVI  INTRODUCTION. 

erable  Adam  Grube  officiating,  probably  the  first  wedding 
of  a  white  couple  within  the  limits  of  the  present  State  of 
Ohio.  He  was  with  the  Indian  church  during  all  the 
early  troubles  recorded  in  this  Diary,  but  finally,  owing  to 
the  illness  of  his  wife  when  upon  the  Cuyahoga,  he  re- 
turned to  the  church  at  Bethlehem,  Oct.  9, 1786.^  Hence- 
forward he  was  not  immediately  connected  with  our  mis- 
sion, though  he  made  it  two  or  three  visits,  being  em- 
ployed in  other  duties,  especially  as  agent  of  the  Society 
for  Propagating  the  Gospel  among  the  Heathen  and  as 
one  of  the  Peace  Commissioners  sent  to  treat  with  the  In- 
dians. In  the  year  1798,  however,  he  came  to  Fairfield, 
on  the  Thames,  to  assist  in  conducting  a  portion  of  the 
the  church  to  Goshen,  staying  there  only  nine  days.  In 
the  valley  of  the  Muskingum  he  labored  until  1810,  when 
he  went  home  to  the  church,  being  now  nearly  seventy 
years  old,  and  having  well  earned  repose.  He  died  Jan. 
31,  1823. 

Heckewelder  is  the  best  known  of  all  the  Moravian 
missionaries  who  labored  among  the  American  Indians. 
For  this  he  is  much  indebted  to  his  books,  but  also  to  his 
social  qualities,  which  made  him  more  a  man  of  the  world 
than  were  his  coadjutors.^  He  had  the  strength  of  char- 
acter to  resist  the  insidious  tendencies  of  the  solitary  life 
among  savages,  the  effects  of  which  can  be  seen  in  Edwards 
and  Zeisberger. 

IV.     The  Indians.^ 

At  the  time  of  the  beginning  of  this  Diary  the  present 

1  See  pp.  299,  300. 

^  "  In  disposition,"  says  Hildreth,  "  he  was  like  the  Apostle  John  ; 
while  his  companion,  Zeisberger,  partook  of  the  spirit  of  St.  Paul." 

^  See  Lossing's  Pictorial  Description  of  Ohio,  p.  129;  Mag.  of  West- 
ern History,  Vol.  1,  p.  41,  and  Bouquet's  Expedition,  passim. 


INDIANS.  XXVH 

State  of  Ohio  was  divided  among  the  Indians  in  somewhat 
this  manner  :  In  the  eastern  part  in  the  Valley  of  the  Mus- 
kingum were  the  Delawares ;  along  the  upper  Ohio,  the 
Mingoes,  emigrant  Iroquois ;  in  the  Scioto  Valley,  the 
Shawanese ;  along  the  two  Miamis,  the  tribes  from  which 
the  rivers  are  named,  the  Miamis,  or  Twightwees,  as  Zeis- 
berger  always  calls  them ;  the  Wyandots,  or  Hurons,  were 
in  the  north-western  part  of  the  State;  near  them  were  the 
Tawas,  or  Ottawas ;  a  few  Chippewas  wandered  along  the 
shores  of  Lake  Erie.  In  Michigan  were  the  Chippewas 
and  Potawatomies.  In  the  present  Ontario,  opposite 
Detroit,  was  the  principal  seat  of  the  "Wyandots,  or  Hurons, 
and  when  the  mission  was  at  Fairfield,  on  the  Thames, 
many  Mohawks  visited  the  Christian  Indians. 

A  surprising  circumstance  is  the  frequent  communica- 
tion and  commingling  of  all  these  tribes.  The  presence  of 
the  white  man  seems  often  to  have  made  them  forget  or 
postpone  ancient  hostilities,  and  for  a  time  to  have- united 
men  who  were  hardly  more  capable  of  lasting  union  than 
the  wild  beasts  of  their  forests. 

The  greater  part  of  the  Indian  church  were  Delawares 
of  the  Monsey  tribe,  a  tribe  into  which  Zeisberger  had 
been  adopted.  Schonbrunn  was  inhabited  at  first  by  Del- 
aware Indians,  Gnadenhlitten  by  Mohicans,  originally  from 
I^ew  England,  but  after  the  return  from  Lichtenau  and 
the  founding  of  Salem  and  New  Schonbrunn  (1780),  this 
distinction  of  tribes  seems  in  great  part  to  have  been  lost. 
The  iTanticokes,  who  had  been  adopted  by  the  Delawares, 
and  were  originally  from  the  coast  of  Maryland,  are  men- 
tioned occasionally,  but  generally  as  a  patronymic.  During 
the  St.  Clair  and  Wayne  campaigns  Southern  tribes  are 
spoken  of,  and  there  were  already  one  or  two  converts 
from  the  Cherokees,  captured  in  war  by  the  Delawares, 


XXVlll  INTRODUCTION. 

and  then  adopted.  Most  singular  is  the  presence  of  the 
Carib  woman,  a  brief  account  of  whom  is  given  in  Vol. 
IL,  p.  522. 

V.     The  Mission. 

It  was  the  rule  in  the  Indian  mission  towns  that  none 
but  Indians  should  live  there,  except,  of  course,  the  mis- 
sionaries and  their  families.  There  are  a  few  apparent  ex- 
ceptions to  this  regulation  ;  Schebosh,  for  instance,  but  he 
was  an  assistant  missionary,  and  had  married  an  Indian 
woman  ;  Richard  Conner  had  for  a  wife  a  woman  who  had 
been  for  many  years  a  captive  among  the  Shawanese; 
John  Leeth  was  taken  captive  when  a  boy  of  seventeen, 
and  his  wife,  when  less  than  two  years  old. 

The  inhabitants  of  an  Indian  mission-village  were 
divided  into  choirs  or  classes,  and  each  choir  had  its  festi- 
val-day, as  will  often  be  observed  in  the  Diary.  "  The 
younger  girls,  the  elder  girls,  the  sisters,  the  married 
brethren  and  sisters,  the  widows,  widowers,  the  younger 
boys,  the  elder  boys,  the  single  brethren,  all  constituted 
distinct  choirs,  and  had  their  stated  and  special  meet- 
ings."^ In  the  census  which  Zeisberger  gives  at  the  end 
of  nearly  every  year  this  division  into  classes  can  be 
noticed. 

Laborers  and  Teachers  are  the  modest  names  by  which 
the  missionaries  speak  of  themselves. 

Assistants,  or  Helpers,  were  selected  from  the  converts. 
Their  duties  were  to  visit  the  brethren  from  house  to 
house,  to  comfort  and  care  for  the  sick,  to  settle  quarrels 
among  the  brethren,  between  husband  and  wife  or  among 
members  of  the  same  family,  and  generally  to  see  that  the 


^Sketches  of  Moravian  Life  and  Character,  p.  41. 


INDIAN   MISSION.  '  XXIX 

ordinances  for  civil  and  religious  life  were  observed.^ 
These  assistants  were  chosen  from  either  sex,  and  their 
fields  of  labor  correspondingly  divided.  Frequently  hus- 
band and  wife  were  selected. 

An  Assistants'  Conference  was  occasionally  called,  when 
matters  of  importance  in  discipline  or  in  regard  to  Indian 
tribes  were  brought  before  them,  or  when,  as  a  body,  they 
needed  admonition. 

Chapel-servants,  or  simply  servants,  were  those  to  whose 
charge  the  meeting-house  was  given.  There  were  also  Ser- 
vants whose  duty  it  was  to  provide  for  the  entertainment 
of  visitors. 

New  Feopte  are  those  whose  attention  has  been  aroused. 
If  they  show  themselves  earnest  they  become  candidates 
for  baptism,  and  later  are  bajytized.  If  their  conduct  con- 
tinues satisfactory  they  are  candidates  for  the  communion, 
and  are  admitted  as  lookers-on  at  the  Lord's  supper,  and 
finally  themselves  become  communicants. 

Such  expressions  as  the  home-church,  the  church  of  the  bap- 
tized, etc.,  explain  themselves. 

A  Service  was  held  every  day,  usually  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, but,  at  times,  for  convenience,  in  the  evening,  when 
a  short  discourse  was  frequently  delivered,  suggested  by 
the  Scripture-verse  or  text  of  the  day. 

The  Lord's  Supper  was  generally  administered  once  a 
month,  and  also  upon  certain  festival-days.  iTotice  of  it 
was  given  the  Sunday  preceding;  between  this  time  and 
the  day  of  the  celebration  the  brethren  were  addressed 
and  admonished,  as  each  one  had  need,  by  the  mis- 
sionaries and  their  wives,  and  by  the  assistants,  and  es- 
pecially was  this    done  on  the  two  days  preceding  the 

iSee  Vol.  I.,  pp.  171,  230;  Vol.  II.,  pp.  236,  342. 


XXX  ,  INTRODUCTION. 

Saturday  when  it  was  administered.  The  next  day,  Sun- 
day, the  communion  liturgy  was  read. 

There  has  heen  prepared  by  the  Moravian  church,  since 
1731,  a  selection  of  short  passages  from  the  Old  and  the 
l^ew  Testaments  for  each  day  in  the  year,  and  each  pas- 
sage is  followed  by  a  stanza  of  a  hymn.  These  selections 
from  the  Old  Testament  are  in  this  translation  called 
Scripture-verses,  and  those  from  the  ISTew  Testament, 
Texts;   the  stanza  which  follows  is  called  the  Collect. 

In  matters  of  great  difficulty  the  Saviour's  advice  was 
asked  by  lot.  This  is  somewhat  obscurely  mentioned  by 
Zeisberger.  By  consulting  the  references  given  under 
"  Lot,"  in  the  Index,  it  will  be  seen  that  resort  to  it  was 
not  made  infrequently. 

Love-feasts  were  held  upon  many  occasions  ;  birthdays, 
anniversaries  of  baptisms,  the  arrival  or  departure  of 
brethren,  were  thus  observed.  Besides  there  were  love- 
feasts  for  all  the  inhabitants,  and  contributions  were  made 
to  defray  the  expenses  of  these  simple  feasts. 

The  missionaries  sent  to  Bethlehem  their  Diary,  and  in 
return  received  the  Bethlehem,  Diary,  also  in  manuscript. 
They  had  sent  them  also  the  proceedings  of  the  synods 
and  the  reports  of  the  meetings  of  the  U.  A.  C,  or  Unity 
Elders'  Conference — the  initial  A  from  the  German  for 
elder.  By  this  interchange  of  journals  and  reports  the 
whole  church,  home  and  mission,  on  both  sides  of  the  sea, 
was  knit  together  into  a  great  whole. 

VI.     The  Calendar.  ■ 

Besides  the  ordinary  festivals  of  the  Christian  church, 
there  were  others  to  which  the  Moravians  gave  especial 
prominence. 


CALENDAR.  XXXI 


The  NeiD  Year  was  entered  upon  with  a  service,  which 
began  shortly  before  midnight. 

The  Sunday  following  Epiphany  was  the  Childreji's 
Sunday. 

On  Maundy-Thursday  was  the  ceremony  of  the  Wash- 
ing-of-feet. 

April  3  (1785)  is  mentioned  as  a  memorial  day  for  those 
baptized  during  the  year. 

May  4th.     Unmarried  Sisters^  day. 

Aug.  13th  was  carefully  observed  in  remembrance  of 
what  happened  at  Herrnhut  on  that  day,  in  the  year  1727  : 
"  The  baptism  of  the  spirit  upon  the  infant  church  by  oc- 
casion of  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  supper."  This 
day  was  regarded  as  the  spiritual  birthday  of  the  renewed 
church,  and  the  community  was  moved  to  work  for  Christ 
generally  and  to  carry  the  Gospel  to  distant  heathen 
lands. 

Aug.  29th.    Unmarried  Brothers'  day. 

Aug.  31st.    Widows'  and  Widowers'  day. 

Sept.  7th.    Festival  for  the  Harried. 

Sept.  29th.     The  Angels  were  praised. 
'  Nov.  13th.     The  church  calls   to  mind  that  the  Lord 
Jesus  is  the  Chief  Shepherd  and  Head  of  the  church. 

VII.     Subsequent  History  of  the  Mission. 

"When  Zeisberger,  in  the  year  1798,  returned  to  the  Val- 
ley of  the  Muskingum,  he  brought  with  him  to  Goshen' 
only  a  part  of  the  Indian  congregation.  This  station 
steadily  declined,  and  was  at  last  abandoned,  the  few  re- 
maining Indians  finally  settling  in  New  Westfield,  Kansas. 
:  The  Fairfield  mission  was  broken  up  by  the  war  of  1812. 
Three  years  later  it  was  revived  under  the  name  of  New 


XXXll  INTRODUCTION. 

Fairfield,  not  far  from  old  Fairfield,  but  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Thames,  where  it  still  exists. 

There  is  also  a  Cherokee  mission  at  N'ew  Spring  Place, 
Indian  Territory. 

The  total  number  of  converts  in  all  these  three  sta- 
tions was  only  two  hundred  and  seventy-six  in  the  year 
1883,  hardly  half  the  number  to  be  found,  1781,  in  the 
Valley  of  the  Muskingum. 


Dr^RY 


OF 


THE   INDIAN   CHURCH 


IN  THE 


Western  Part  of  North  America,  1781. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Removal    from    the    Muskingum — Across    the    Wilderness   to    Upper 
Sandusky — Journey  to  Detroit — Return  to  Sandusky. 

Beloved  Brethren  :  We  begin  now  in  God's  name  again 
to  give  you  news  of  our  health  and  conduct  and  of  what 
has  happened  to  us,  for  a  great  change  has  occurred  with 
us.  You^  will  also  have  wondered  how  it  happens  that 
you  have  heard  nothing  more  from  us  since  we  are  come 
to  ISTew  Shore.^  We  were  not  in  condition,  and  it  was 
not  and  is  not  yet  in  our  power  to  give  you  news  of  us, 
nor  yet  do  we  know  whether  and  when  this  will  come  to 
your  hands,  but  will  write  it  in  hope  of  better  times.  Our 
diaries  from  the  Muskingum  and  letters  which  lay  ready 
to  be  sent  off  with  Br.  Schebosh,^  as  likewise  all  other 


^  It  is  hard  to  decide  where  in  this  diary  Zeisberger  makes  his  record 
day  by  day,  certainly  by  September  18th.  Possibly  he  made  notes 
fi'om  time  to  time,  and  put  them  into  their  present  form  upon  his  re- 
turn from  Detroit  in  November. 

^  I  have  been  unable  to  find  what  place  this  is. 

^John  Joseph  Schebosh,  now  sixty  years  old,  was  born  of  Quaker 
parents,  his  real  name  being  Joseph  Bull.  He  was  named  Schebosh 
by  the  Indians  and  John  at  his  baptism  in  1742.  He  married  an  In- 
dian woman.  He  was  devoted  to  the  Indian  missions.  Neither  the 
death  of  his  son,  the  first  victim  in  the  massacre  at  Gnadenhiitten  in 
1782,  nor  his  own  captivity,  could  quench  his  zeal.  He  will  often  be 
mentioned  in  this  diary.  Under  September  5,  1788,  Zeisberger  gives 
his  biography. 


zeisberger's  diary. 


writings,  were  lost,  and*  yet  were  we  glad  that  they  fell 
into  the  flames  and  not  into  strange  hands.  We  have, 
since  our  captivity,  on  the  3d  of  September  nntil  now, 
when  we  are  come  hack  from  Detroit  [jSTovemher  22]  had 
no  pen  in  our  hands,  and  have  strictly  kept  our  promise  ; 
therefore  we  can  give  you  no  very  exact  diary,  hut  will  only 
mention  the  most  noteworthy  things  which  remain  in  our 
memory. 

Brothers  D.  Zeisberger^  and  Jungmann,  with  their  wives, 
came  to  Schonhrunn  July  15th  [the  Scripture- verse  being  : 
Yet  will  I  gather  others  to  him  beside  those  that  are 
gathered  unto  him],  with  a  large  company  of  Indian 
brethren,  who  already  had  waited  for  them  in  Pittsburg 
over  two  weeks,  on  which  account  the  brethren  at  home 
were  already  much  distressed,  and  had  consequently  sent 
messengers  to  the  Fort  to  learn  where  they  remained,  who 
met  us  more  than  a  day's  journey  from  Schonhrunn.  On 
aU  sides  there  was  great  joy  over  the  arrival  of  this  com- 
pany. Thereupon  the  laborers  from  the  three  places  came 
together  in  Schonhrunn,  rejoiced  with  one  another,  and 
thanked  the  Saviour  for  all  the  goodness  he  had  done  us  in 
time,  and  read  Br.  Reichel's"  letter,  which  he  had  written 
to  them;  whereupon  we  learned  how  we  had  to  distribute 
ourselves  for  the  time,  namelv  :  Br.  Juno-mann  and  his 
wife  went  with  Br.  Zeisberger  and  his  wife  to  Schonhrunn 
to  live;  Br.  and  Sister  Sensemanu  to  Gnadenhiitten,  and 
Br.  Edwards  with  them;  Br.  Mich.  Jung,  on  the  contrary, 
with  Br.  Heckewelder  and  his  wife,  to  Salem.^  Br.  David, 
with  his   wife,   visited   thereupon   in    Gnadenhiitten    and 

^  Zeisberger  returning  from  his  last  visit  to  Bethlehem,  Pa.  During 
his  absence  lie  married  Miss  .Susan  Lecron,  at  Litiz,  Pa.  lie  was  now 
sixty  years  of  age,  and  Sister  Susanna,  as  she  is  called  in  this  diary, 
thirty-seven. 

^John  Frederick  Reichel,  Bishop,  from  Germany,  .now  passing  two 
years  in  the  United  States  on  an  official  visit. 

^Schonhrunn,  settled  in  1772,  Gnadenhiitten  1772,  and  Salem  1780, 
were  all  in  the  present  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio.  Schonhrunn  was 
two  miles  south-east  of  New  Philadelphia,  Gnadenhiitten  near  the 
town  at  present  so  called,  and  Salem  one  and  a  half  miles  south-west 
of  Port  Washington. 


ON    THE    MUSKIXGUM,    1781.  3 

Salem,  spoke  everywhere  to  the  brethren,  and  adminis- 
tered the  Lord's  Supper,  The  brethren  from  all  these 
places  were  then  in  nndisturbed  quiet,  knew  and  heard 
nothing  about  the  hostile  Indians,  except  that  several 
times  warriors  went  through  our  towns  with  prisoners  and 
scalps,  who,  however,  gave  us  no  trouble,  but  were  glad 
if  Ave  gave  them  any  thing  to  eat.  One  of  the  prisoners, 
an  old  but  vigorous  man,  ofiered  Br.  David  |200  in  cash 
if  he  would  work  him  his  freedom,  which,  however,  was 
for  us  an  impossibility.  The  Indian  church  already,  in 
April,  had  been  visited  by  warriors,  who  wished  to  carry 
them  away,  but  by  the  entreaties  of  our  Indians  had  been 
prevailed  on  not  to  use  force.  We  had,  however,  to  ex- 
pect that  they  would  not  put  oft'  carrying  out  their  plan, 
but  would  execute  it. 

Somewhere  about  August  13th  we  heard  that  a  strong 
party  of  warriors  was  on  the  march  for  our  towns,  on 
which  account  also  we  could  not  have  the  Lord's  Supper, 
although  we  had  prepared  ourselves  therefor,  for  on  their 
account  we  could  no  longer  be  easy,  they  having  already 
begun  to  assemble  in  Salem  and  Gnadenhiitten.  Up  to 
the  16th  and  17th  about  300  warriors  had  assembled. 
Their  chief  men  were,  first,  an  English  captain  (Elliot), 
with  several  others,  among  whom  were  also  Frenchmen, 
the  Wyandot  Half-King  (Pomoacan),  from  Sandusky,  with 
his  warriors,  Pipe,^  with  the  Delawares,  some  Shawanese, 
ChippeAvas,  and  Tawas.  The  Half-King,  in  his  usual  pre- 
tended friendly  Avay,  sent  out  messengers  announcing  his 
approach,  and  let  it  be  told  our  Indians  they  should  not 
be  afraid,  not  the  least  harm  Avould  happen  to  them,  for 
on  this  account  Avas  he  himself  come  to  protect  us,  so  that 
no  one  should  do  us  wrong  ;  that  he  had  something  to  say 
to  us,  and  we  should  therefore  let  him  know  at  which  of 
our  three  places  this  should  occur.  Since  Salem  was  but  a 
new  place,  and  they  could  not  support  the  warriors  from 
want  of  corn,  Gnadenhiitten  was  appointed  for  them,  for 


^Captain  Pipe,  whose  Indian  name  was  Kogiesch  quanoheel,  a  Dela 
ware  captain  of  the  Wolf  (Monsey)  tribe. 


zeisberger's  diary. 


we  could  come  also  from  Schonbrunn  to  the  help  of  our 
brethren,  so  that  it  mig-ht  not  go  too  hard  with  them. 
We  thought  also  that  thej  would  not  remain  long  with 
us,  for  the  whites  who  were  with  them,  informed  us  that 
they  had  a  great  undertaking  in  hand,  either  against 
Wiliink  (Wheeling),  Mcintosh  (Beaver,  Pa.),  or  Pittsburg, 
or  against  all  three  places,  but  they  said  this  only  to  make 
us  easy.  We  entertained  the  Eng.  captain  and  his 
company^  the  best  we  could,  and  showed  them  all  kind- 
ness so  far  as  lay  in  our  power;  they  likewise  behaved  in 
a  friendly  way  toward  us,  but  had  secret  guile,  and  we 
could  trust  them  not  in  the  least. 

Aug.  20.  After  the  warriors  had  taken  quarters, 
and  at  the  west  end  of  Gnadenhlitten  had  put  up  huts 
and  tents,  Pomoacan,  the  Wyandot  Half-King,  spoke 
to  us  and  to  our  Indians  as  follows  :  My  cousins,  ye  be- 
lieving Indians,  in  Gnadenhlitten,  Schonbrunn,  and  Salem, 
I  am  no  little  troubled  about  you,  for  I  see  you  live  in  a 
dangerous  place.  Two  powerful  and  mighty  spi'rits  or 
gods  are  standing  and  opening  wide  their  jaws  toward 
each  other  to  swallow,  and  between  the  two  angry  spirits, 
who  thus  open  their  jaws,  are  you  placed;  you  are  in  dan- 
ger, from  one  or  from  the  other,  or  even  from  both,  of  be- 
ing bruised  and  mangled  by  their  teeth ;  therefore  it  is 
not  advisable  for  you  to  remain  here  longer,  but  bethink 
ye  to  keep  alive  your  wives,  and  children  and  young 
people,  for  here  must  you  all  die.  Therefore  I  take  you 
by  the  hand,  raise  you  up  and  settle  you  there  where  I 
dwell,  or  at  least  near  by  me,  where  you  will  be  safe  and 
will  live  in  quiet.  Make  not  here  your  plantations  and 
settlements,  but  arise  and  come  with  me,  take  with  you 
also  your  teachers,  and  hold  there,  whither  you  shall  come, 
your  worship  of  God  forever,  as  has  been  your  wont. 
Ye  will  at  once  find  food  there,  and  will  suffer  no  want, 
for  on  this  account  am  I  come  to  say  this  to  you,  and  to 
bring  you  to  safety  [whereupon  he  gave  a  string  of  wam- 
pum].    The  Scripture-verse  of  the  day  read  :    Take  coun- 

*  McCormick  is  here  written  in  the  margin. 


ON    THE    MUSKINGUM,    1781.  5 

eel  together,  and  it  shall  come  to  nought ;  speak  the  word, 
and  it  shall  not  stand :  for  God  is  with  us ;  for  here  is  Im- 
nianuel. 

Is  God  for  me,  what  is  it — That  man  can  do  for  me  ? 

This  word  of  the  Lord  gave  us  consolation  and  hope 
that  all  would  go  well.  Brs.  David  (Zeisberger)  and 
Heckewelder  had  come  together  from  their  respective  sta- 
tions to  Gnadenhiitten,  where  we  with  the  national  assist- 
ants considered  about  this,  and  on  the  21st  answered  the 
Half-King,  as  follows: 

"Uncle,  and  you.  Captains  of  the  Delawares  and  Mon- 
seys.  who  are  our  friends  and  one  nation  with  us,  we  have 
heard  your  words  in  which  you  say  to  us  that  we  are 
placed  between  two  evil,  mighty  spirits  who  open  their 
jaws  toward  each  other,  and  you  admonish  us  that  we 
should  think  of  our  young  and  old  people,  our  wives  and 
children,  seek  to  keep  them  alive,  and  about  them  we  are 
most  concerned.  Your  words  and  exhortations  are  there- 
fore pleasant  for  us  to  hear,  and  we  wish  to  do  as  you 
have  pointed  out  to  us,  bear  the  same  in  mind,  and  con- 
sider them,  and  we  wish,  Uncle,  even  before  next  spring 
to  send  you  an  answer,  thereupon  can  you  depend." 

We  gave  this  answer  without  a  string  of  wampum,  since 
this  should  follow  after  a  time,  and  it  appeared  to  us  as  if  the 
Half-King  were  content  therewith:  we  believed  also  that 
he  would  have  been  satisfied  with  it,  had  not  the  English 
captain  concealed  himself  behind  Pipe  and  other  Dela- 
wares, and  urged  them  on  to  excite  Pomoacan  to  carry  on 
the  matter  farther  with  us.  Then  we  soon  heard  that  our 
given  answer  was  not  satisfactory  to  them.  On  the  25th 
again,  Pomoacan  made  an  address  to  our  Indian  brethren 
in  Gnadenhiitten  that  our  answer  was  not  yet  enough, 
we  had  appointed  too  remote  a  time,  and  he  wished  to 
have  something  in  his  hands  to  show  the  nations  from 
whom  we  had  orders  about  this,  that  he  had  really  made 
negotiations  with  us.  Br.  David  went  therefore  again  to 
Gnadenhiitten,  and,  Aug.  27  [when  the  beautiful  fitting 
Scripture-verse  was:  Thou  shalt  know  that  I  am  the 
Lord :    for  they  shall  not  be  ashamed   that  wait  for  me. 


b  ZEISBERGER  S    DIARY. 

My  times  are  in  thy  hand — I'll  always  trust  in  tliee],  we 
gave  to  them  through  a  string  of  wampum  the  following 
answer,  and  said  to  them  that  it  was  impossible  for  us  to  do 
for  them  what  they  required.  We  could  not  by  any  means 
bring  our  wives  and  children  into  such  need  that  they 
must  suffer  hunger  and  perish,  while  hitherto  they  had 
had  plenty,  and  in  nothing  felt  any  want.  We  bade  them 
leave  us  time  enough  to  harvest  our  fields,  so  that  we,  with 
our  wives  and  children,  might  have  something  to  live  on  ; 
for  we  saw  that  we  put  ourselves  in  extreme  need  and 
misery,  if  so  blindly,  without  consideration,  we  went  away 
from  our  towns  where  we  had  enough  to  live  upon,  into 
the  bush,  where  there  was  nothing  to  be  found ;  they  should 
at  least  leave  us  time  enough  to  prepare  for  our  depart- 
ure. The  Half-King  seemed  to  be  well  content  with  the 
answer,  for  he  said  he  had  now  in  his  luxnds  something 
from  us,  namely  a  string  of  wampum,  which  he  could 
show  to  the  nations,  and  by  which  they  could  see  that  we 
were  willing  to  gratify  their  wishes.  Thus  the  matter 
passed  by,  and  we  hoped  always  that  the  Saviour  would 
bring  about  our  release.  We  prayed  earnestly  day  and 
night  to  him  that  he  would  help  us  also  out  of  this  need, 
and  not  suffer  that  his  Indian  church  should  come  to 
harm  and  be  dispersed,  since  once  they  had  tasted  of  his 
blood.  Opinions  and  thoughts  over  the  matter  among 
our  Indian  brethren  were  also  various,  as  likewise  among 
the  assistants.  Some  thought  we  should  at  once  arise  and 
0^0  with  the  warriors  without  considering"  the  results  there- 
from.  On  the  contrarj^,  others  were  against  this,  and  said 
they  would  rather  die  on  the  spot,  for  in  the  bush  must 
they  all  perish.  It  was  impossible  to  convince  all  of  the 
propriety  of  wdiat  we  held  it  best  to  do.  Herein,  also,  we 
had  ourselves  taught^  by  the  Saviour  what  we  should  do, 
and  he  let  us  know  that  we  should  do  nothing  farther  than 
we  had  done,  and  that  the  answer  we  had  given  was 
enough.  We  wished  to  do  nothing  to  the  harm  of  our 
churches  in  the   land.     We  were  also   unwilling  to  take 

^This  consulting  the  Saviour  by  lot  will  often  be  mentioned. 


ON   THE    MUSKINGUM,  1781.  7 

upon  our  necks  the  charge  of  having  brought  our  Indian 
brethren  into  such  need  as  they  afterward  felt,  since  they 
would  have  reproached  us  with  being  guilty  therein  be- 
cause w^e  had  acceded  thereto.  We  wished  rather  to  let 
it  come  to  the  worst,  so  that  we  might  be  without  fault. 
Meanwhile,  the  daily  services  were  held,  and  we  ceased 
not  to  exhort  the  brethren,  to  encourage  them,  to  comfort 
them,  and  to  point  out  to  them  the  Saviour.  Among  other 
things,  especially  were  they  reminded  that  the  Saviour  had 
intrusted  to  them  his  word  of  atonement,  which  they 
should  look  upon  as  a  great  treasure,  and  which  should 
be  their  daily  food.  If  they  became  indifferent  thereto, 
and  should  be  disobedient  to  God's  word,  he  would  again 
take  it  away  from  them.  In  Gnadenhiitten  there  were 
many  disorders  among  our  people;  not  only  of  late,  but 
already  for  some  time,  many  had  begun  to  take  up  again 
the  old  heathenish  customs  and  usages,  and  when  they 
were  reminded  of  this  and  talked  to,  not  only  did  they 
not  suffer  this,  but  they  waxed  wicked  and  stubborn,  and 
especially  by  these  circumstances  bad  people  made  the  oc- 
casion useful,  since  the  town  was  full  of  warriors  and 
rough,  wild  men,  who  became  the  worse  the  longer  they 
were  there,  who  at  first  indeed  were  quiet  and  modest, 
but  afterward  began  to  dance,  to  play,  and  to  carry  out 
their  own  devices.  Yes,  it  went  so  far  that  some  wicked 
people  spoke  and  gave  us  to  understand  that  while  there 
w^as  now  war,  they  could  prescribe  us  rules,  and  that  our  re- 
maining and  our  getting  through,  in  short,  our  life  and 
maintenance,  depended  upon  them,  and  that  we  had  rea- 
son to  be  silent,  and  they  would  let  us  do  only  what  they 
wished.  In  Schimbrunn  and  Salem  the  brethren  were 
reasonably  quiet,  and  if  warriors  visited  them  now  and 
then,  yet  there  was  little  disturbance.  From  both  places 
we  had  to  give  them  provisions,  slaughter  swine  and  cat- 
tle for  them,  so  long  as  they  were  there,  and  this  we  did 
still  cheerfully,  if  only  they  had  left  us  longer  in  peace. 
Meanwhile,  parties  of  warriors  made  excursions,  and  they 
brought  soine  captives  to  Gnadenhiitten,  and  the  place 
became  a  theatre  of  war.     [Elliott's  camp  displayed  the 


8  zeisberger's  diary. 

English  flag,  which  at  last  the  "Wyandots  took  possession 
of,  and  it  was  then  thrown  into  the  fire.]  In  this  matter 
they  were  themselves  not  without  fear  of  being  fallen 
upon,  and  upon  every  side  they  sent  out  spies. 

Aug;  30.  Sister  Anna  Senseraann  was  delivered  of  a 
son,  who  was  baptized  into  Jesus'  death  in  Schonbrunn, 
Sept.  1st,  by  the  name.  Christian  David.  Eight  days  be- 
fore she  had  been  brought  here  from  Gnadenhiitten,  since 
there,  on  account  of  the  warriors,  who  committed  many 
excesses,  it  was  very  unquiet,  and  here  it  was  yet  tolerable, 
for  the  warriors  came  here  in  no  great  number.  Mean- 
while, we  well  saw  that  our  hard  circumstances  were  not 
over;  we  had  tokens  enough  that  the  worst  was  still  be- 
fore us.  We  could  do  nothing,  however,  but  give  our- 
selves up  to  the  will  of  the  Saviour  as  he  should  find  it 
good  and  permit.  We  might  think,  as  we  would,  upon 
ways  and  means  to  escape  our  calamity;  on  every  side  we 
were  fastened  in,  and  there  was  no  outcome  to  be  seen. 
We  had  indeed  reason  to  believe  that  the  Half-King  and  the 
captains  had  already  as  good  as  given  up  their  purpose  to 
use  force  against  us  ;  it  was  said  even  that  they  would  with- 
draw and  give  us  time  first  to  harvest  our  fields  so  that 
we  could  prepare  for  our  departure.  But  the  English, 
who  were  with  them,  left  nothing  undone  to  excite  the 
captains  and  warriors,  and  to  spur  them  on  to  drive  us 
out  by  force.  In  addition,  the  warriors  found  out  that 
our  Indians  were  not  of  one  mind,  for  had  they  been  so, 
had  they  held  together,  and  sustained  one  another,  the 
warriors  would  have  accomplished  nothing  ;  but  there  were 
faithless,  wretched  men  among  us,  who  gave  them  infor- 
mation, and  proposed  schemes  to  them  for  reaching  their 
ends.  They  gave  them  plainly  to  understand,  that  if  they 
would  only  take  us  white  brethren  prisoners  away  with 
them,  then  the  Indians  would  all  follow  them.  To  our 
pain  and  mortification,  we  had  to  hear  and  see  this  on  the 
part  of  our  own  people,  and  be  silent  about  it,  at  least,  for 
the  time.  We  had  also  to  see  harlotry  openly  carried  on, 
and  could  not  prevent  it.  Since  we  afterward  found  out 
every  thing  in  detail,  I  will  here  introduce  what  we  learned 


ON   THE    MUSKIiJ^GUM,  1781.  9 

from  trustworthy  sources.  The  captains  had  a  plan  to 
kill  us  whites,  and  when  this  was  not  thought  enough,  to 
kill  the  assistants  also.^ 

Sept.  1.  We  had  a  message  that  all  the  white  brethren 
from  Schonbrunn  and  Salem,  with  the  assistants,  should 
come  to  Gnadenhlitten.  Br.  David,  with  some  helpers,  went 
there  from  the  first  place,  but  left  Br.  Jungmann  with  the 
other  two  brethren  there,  and  Br.  Heckewelder  came  from 
Salem,  where  he  left  his  wife  and  Br.  Mich.  Jung.  We 
soon  heard  here  all  sorts  of  rumors  of  what  awaited  us,  for 
there  were  among  the  warriors  some  people  who  rather 
wished  us  well  than  ill,  and  who  said  to  us  what  they 
heard.  Thus  we  awaited  our  fate  in  great  perplexity  and 
tribulation  until,  Sept.  3d,  it  came  to  an  outbreak.  The  war- 
rior folk  became  steadily  more  wanton,  and  gave  free  play 
to  their  wildness.  We  felt  the  power  of  darkness,  as  if 
the  air  were  filled  with  evil  spirits.  When  they  first  came 
here  they  were  starving,  and  were  glad  to  get  something 
to  eat,  and  herein  we  let  them  sufifer  no  want.  After 
they  were  sated  and  become  wanton,  each  one  acted  after 
the  bent  of  his  own  wildness.  They  shot  dead  our  cattle 
and  swine,  although  we  refused  them  nothing,  and  if  they 
demanded  swine  or  cattle  for  slaughter,  gave  them.  This 
they  did  not  only  from  hunger,  but  from  caprice,  for  they 
left  the  swine  lying  dead  round  about  in  such  numbers  that 
the  place  stunk  with  them  ;  still  the  daily  services  were  held 
as  usually. 

On  the  above-named  day,  Sept.  3d,  the  Half- King  and 
the  warrior  captains  again  beset  us,  among  whom  the  Del- 
awares  made  themselves  the  most  forward,  and  urged  upon 
us  we  should  once  more  plainly  declare  ourselves,  whether 
we  would  give  in  to  their  wish  and  at  once  go  with  them 
or  not.     We  answered  them  briefly  that  we  stood  by  what 


^  Here  ends  this  note  abruptly,  but  the  Bethlehem  manuscript  says 
that  the  warriors  imparted  their  j^lan  to  a  leading  chief,  who  advised 
them  against  it,  seeing  therein  no  advantage  for  them.  They  then 
held  another  council,  with  the  same  result;  but  there  the  chief  spoke 
more  plainly,  threatening  vengeance  if  the  missionaries  were  harmed, 
and  thus  their  schemes  came  to  naught. 


10  zeisberger's  diary. 

we  had  already  answered  them,  aud  we  could  give  them  no 
other  answer.  Then  we  heard  a  murmur  among  our  In- 
dians that  they  had  heard  we  white  brethren  should  be 
taken  captive,  but  in  all  this  we  were  quite  comforted, 
though  we  could  not  say  in  contradiction  it  might  not  hap- 
pen. In  the  afternoon  we  went  together  a  little  back  of 
the  town,  Avhere  a  Mousey  captain  spoke  with  Br.  David, 
and  asked  him  whether  he  had  heard  what  he  had  said  in 
Schonbrunn  to  Br.  Luke,  and  what  Br.  David  thought 
about  it,  for  he  would  like  to  know  at  once  his  opinion 
about  it.  This  captain  had  already  some  days  before  in 
Schonbrunn  said  to  Luke,  since  probably  he  knew  what 
was  going  on,  that  the  Mousey  nation  had  adopted  Br. 
David,  and  looked  upon  him  as  their  own  flesh  and  blood, 
he  knew  that  this  was  accomplished  in  his  nation.  If  Br. 
David  would  accede  to  this  and  appeal  to  it,  he  would 
bring  it  about  that  no  one  should  lay  hand  upon  him; 
they,  the  Monseys,  wished  to  own  him  as  one  of  their 
nation,  but  he  would  have  to  go  Avith  them  where  they 
dwelt.  This  was  also  well  considered,^  for  thus  they 
thought  to  get  our  Mousey  brethren,  who  were  the  greater 
part. 

The  Mousey  captain  probably  meant  well;  his  people, 
the  warriors,  had  also  before  all  others  shown  themselves 
good  to  us,  and  had  done  us  no  harm  ;  they  often  showed 
their  discontent  with  the  conduct  of  the  Wyandots  towards 
us,  and  said  they  had  experience  how  they  had  done  with 
them,  and  so  would  they  do  with  us  if  we  went  with  them. 
But  Br.  David  had  purposely  taken  little  notice  of  the 
proposition,  for  he  saw  that  it  only  had  to  do  with  his  own 
person,  and  perhaps  with  Br.  Jungmann,  who  lived  with 
him,  but  that  the  other  brethren  in  Gnadenhiitten  and 
Salem  would  be  shut  out;  therefore  he  gave  no  positive 
answer,  but  did  not  altogether  decline  the  proposition,  and 
would  have  been  glad  of  further  information  about  it. 

But  while  he  was  still  speaking  with  him,  there  came  three 
Wyandots  to  us,  laid  hands  on  Brs.  David,  Heckewelder, 


This  word  is  conjectured. 


ON   THE    MUSKINGUM,  1781.  .      11 

and  Sensemann,  led  them  away  captive,  and  brought  them 
first  to  the  Delaware  camp,  and  yelled  out  over  us  the 
Death  Hallow.  They  stripped  us  and  took  away  all  our 
clothes,  hastily  loaded  their  guns,  for  in  all  this  they  were 
not  without  fear  they  would  find  opposition  on  the  part 
of  our  Indians.  While  this  was  going  on,  the  whole 
swarm  of  the  other  warriors  rushed  into  the  Brothers' 
house  and  plundered  it,  each  man  taking  what  he  could  lay 
hands  on  and  snatching  it  away.  Some  of  our  young  men 
had  stationed  themselves  in  front  of  the  house-door  with 
tomahawks,  and  would  not  let  them  in,  but  they  had  to 
give  way  to  the  stronger  party. 

They  showed  no  desire  to  touch  Br.  Edwards,  who  was 
in  the  house,  for  they  were  too  much  set  on  plundering, 
and  each  wished  to  have  the  most  booty.  Finally  he  went 
out  to  the  house  and  to  Br.  John  Martin,^  where  an  En- 
glishman met  him  and  brought  him  into  camp  to  us,  where 
he  saw  we  were  all  yet  living,  for  as  they  were  bringing 
us  into  camp,  he  heard  several  muskets  fired  one  after  the 
other,  from  which  he  concluded  that  already  we  were  all 
dead,  and  so  it  would  have  happened,  for  they  had  it  in 
mind,  as  we  afterwards  heard,  unless  a  higher  hand  had 
ruled  over  us.  The  Delaware  chiefs  and  captains,  while 
this  was  going  on,  had  drawn  aside,  probably  from  fear  it 
might  not  come  out  well:  but  they  were  the  same  who 
had  allowed  themselves  to  be  used  to  take  us  prisoners, 
for  the  Wyandots  would  not  have  dared  to  do  it.  Our 
Scripture-verse  was  wonderful,  it  read:  Though  thou 
wast  angry  with  me,  thine  anger  is  turned  away  and  thou 
comtortedst  me  ;  and  the  day  after  it  was  :  God  will  come 
and  save  you. 

After  they  had  stripped  us  we  were  brought  into  the 
Englishman's  tent,  who,  indeed,  as  he  gave  out,  wished  to 
show  us  compassion,  and  said  it  had  not  been  intended 
that  we  should  be  thus  treated,  although  there  were  ex- 
press orders  from  the  commandant  in  Detroit  to  bring  us 
away  by  force,  could  it  not   be  done   by  gentler  means. 

^National   assistant,  afterward  killed   in   the   massacre  at  Gnaden- 
hiitten,  in  1782. 


12  zeisberger's  diary. 

And  this  was  the  first  mention  that  they  relied  upon  the 
governor  in  Detroit,  hitherto  they  had  not  said  so,  and  yet 
they  had  no  such  orders.  But  we  well  knew  that  he  was 
the  originator  and  prime  mover  of  the  whole  business. 
He  brought  it  about,  however,  with  the  Indians,  that  they 
gave  us  back  some  old  clothes,  so  that  we  were  not  quite 
naked,  and  Br.  David  got  an  old  night-gown  to  put  on, 
which  had  belonged  to  Sister  Sensemann;  after  this  we 
were  brought  into  the  huts  of  the  Wyandots  for  safe- 
keeping, but  we  were  not  put  in  bonds,  as  were  the  other 
captives.  We  had  now  neither  blanket  nor  any  thing  else 
to  lie  upon  save  the  bare  ground,  unless  our  Indian  brethren 
had  lent  us  some  blankets. 

After  this  one  party  of  warriors  went  to  Salem,  another 
to  Schonbrunn.  To  the  first  place  went  thirty  warriors  ; 
they  arrived  there  in  the  night,  took  prisoners  Br.  Michael 
Jung  and  Br.  Heckewelder  and  his  wife  with  her  child, 
led  them  out  of  the  house  and  placed  them  in  the  street : 
they  plundered  the  house,  took  away  with  them  every 
thing  they  fancied,  likewise  also  Br.  Michael  J-ung,  and 
came  early  in  the  night  to  Gnadenhlitten  crying  the 
Death  Hallow.  Sister  Heckewelder,  however,  with  her 
child,  got  leave  to  remain  till  the  next  day,  whom  the  In- 
dian brethren  then  brought  in.  In  Schonbrunn,  to  w^hich 
place  only  two  Wyandots  with  a  couple  of  women  came, 
they  took  prisoners  Br.  Jungmann  and  Sisters  Susanna 
(Zeisberger)  and  Sensemann  :  then  they  said  many  war- 
riors would  come  afterward  and  undo  them ;  that  they 
should  put  themselves  in  their  hands,  so  that  they  might 
remain  alive,  they  would  bring  them  to  Gnadenhlitten 
with  all  their  things,  which  they  would  pack  up,  and  all 
of  which  they  would  give  back  to  them.  The  sisters 
helped  them  pack  until  they  saw  that  the  beds  were  cut 
open  and  the  feathers  thrown  about  the  street,  and  found 
themselves  deceived  in  their  intentions,  just  as  had  also 
happened  in  Gnadenhlitten  and  Salem.  But  some  In- 
dian brethren,  as  well  in  Salem  as  here,  who  were  more 
kindly  disposed,  took  away   secretly  from  the  hands  of 


ON   THE   MUSKINGUM,  1781.  13 

the  warriors  some  of  our  things  and  gave  them  to  us  aft- 
erward, so  that  we  again  got  some  little. 

The  Indian  brethren  stood  quite  amazed,  wept  aloud, 
and  knew  not  what  to  do ;  some  wished  to  make  defense, 
others  deemed  this  inadvisable  and  prevented  them. 
They  plundered  not  only  our  things,  but  also  what  be- 
longed to  the  church,  as  for  instance,  the  love-feast  and 
the  communion  utensils  were  all  taken  away,  and  they 
brought  the  brethren  together  with  their  plunder  in  a 
canoe  to  Gnadenhiitten.  Sister  Anna  Sensemann,  who 
had  been  delivered  of  a  child  only  three  days  before,  had 
to  go  by  night  and  in  the  mist,  so  that  it  would  have  been 
no  wonder  had  mother  and  child  perished,  but  the  Saviour, 
to  whom  all  is  possible,  let  not  the  least  harm  happen  either 
to  her  or  to  her  child. 

They  were  brought  into  Gnadenhiitten  early  before  day- 
light, likewise  with  the  Death  Hallow.  From  our  camp 
we  saw  their  reception,  and  how  we  felt  thereby  can  not 
be  described.  But  when  it  became  day  we  got  leave  to 
see  them,  and  then  we  bade  one  another  welcome  in  our 
captivity,  and  comforted  one  another,  and  each  party  had 
hearty  compassion  upon  the  other.  What  in  these  sad 
circumstances  was  comforting  to  us  and  cheered  us  up, 
was  the  fact  that  the  sisters  were  so  resigned  and  cheer- 
ful and  bore  all  with  patience.  Br.  Jungmann  and  the 
sisters  were  set  free  when  it  was  day,  but  remained  awhile 
by  Br.  Schebosh  and  his  wife,  for  in  the  brethren's  house 
every  thing  was  wasted  and  scattered,  and  there  we  visited 
them  also  often  and  they  us.  We  saw  the  warriors  going 
about  in  our  clothes  and  making  a  display,  while  we  had 
nothing  upon  our  bodies,  except  perhaps  some  old  rags, 
and  though  we  were  again  and  again  promised  we  should 
have  some  of  our  clothes  again,  yet  this  did  not  happen, 
for  those  who  had  them  were  unwilling  to  give  them  up. 

Our  Indian  brethren  who  came  to  visit  us  in  camp 
bought  some  trifles  from  the  warriors,  and  gave  them  to 
us  again.  Out  of  our  own  linen,  of  which  they  had  been 
robbed,  the  sisters  had  to  make  shirts  for  them.  Also  we 
had  nothing  to  eat  except  what  our  Indian  brethren  and 


14  zeisberger's  diary. 

the  warriors  gave  us.  Among  these  there  were  many  not 
at  all  content  with  our  treatment,  in  particular  among  the 
Delawares  and  Monsej^s,  and  they  said  that  certainly  they 
never  would  have  gone  upon  this  expedition,  had  they 
known  it  was  aimed  at  us.  Many  of  them  came  immedi- 
ately after  we  were  taken  prisoners  and  gave  us  their 
hands  and  showed  their  compassion.  After  the  five  breth- 
ren, David,  Edwards,  Heckewelder,  Sensemann,  and  Mi- 
chael Jung  had  been  captives  three  days  in  the  Wyandot 
camp,  and  the  captains  saw  very  well  tliat  so  long  as  they 
held  us  fast,  nothing  would  be  done  about  our  departure, 
and  if  they  wished  to  have  all  our  Indians  with  them,  they 
must  iirst  let  us  go,  they  let  us  go,  and  this  happened 
Sept.  6th.  Before  this,  however,  a  singular  thing  occurred 
the  second  day  after  we  were  made  captive.  An  Indian 
woman,  who  had  come  with  the  warriors,  and  had  nothing 
further  to  do  with  us,  had  seen  with  the  others  how  we 
fared,  and  said  to  an  Indian  sister  she  could  not  forget 
how  we  had  been  handled;  she  could  not  sleep  the  whole 
night  on  this  account,  and  this  gave  her  much  to  think 
about.  She  took  Capt.  Pipe's  horse,  tlie  best  in  the  whole 
company,  and  hurried  away  to  Pittsburg.  This  was 
straightway  made  known,  and  she  was  followed  and  over- 
taken, but  she  got  away  again  and  brought  news  of  our 
captivity  to  the  Fort.  The  warriors  were  angry  at  this, 
and  laid  the  blame  upon  us  and  our  Indians,  and  gave  out 
we  had  sent  letters  by  her  to  the  Fort,  and  called  upon 
the  Americans  to  free  us  from  their  hands,  and  since  this 
woman  was  a  friend  of  our  Isaac  Glikkikan,'  to  whom  be- 
sides they  were  very  hostile,  they  seized  the  occasion  to 
wreak  their  vengeance  on  him,  saying  he  had  sent  her. 
On  this  account  they  sent  a  war  party  to  Salem,  brought 
him  bound  to  Gnadenhiitten,  yelled  out  over  him  the 
Death  Hallow,  and  there  was  great  uproar  among  the  war- 
riors, and  it  was  a  common  saying  among  them  that  he 
ou2:ht  to  be  tomahawked.     The  Delawares,  who  were  the 


'A  famous  Monsey  warrior  and  orator,  baptized  in  1771,  a  frequent 
companion  of  Zeisberger,  and  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Indian 
missions,  killed  at  Gnadenhiitten  in  March,  1782. 


ON    THE    MUSKINGUM,    1781.  15 

movers  of  this,  would  have  struck  him  dead  if  the  Half- 
King  had  not  interfered  and  warded  them  off.  They  ex- 
amined him,  beset  him  with  many  reproaches  and  threats, 
but  then  let  him  go.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  this  Indian 
brother,  who  formerly  had  been  a  captain  of  warriors  and 
counsellor  of  chiefs  and  a  very  prominent  man  amongthe  In- 
dians, as  soon  as  he  came  to  the  Lord,  had  to  suffer  ignominy 
and  persecutions  almost  to  the  end  for  the  Saviour's  sake. 

After  they  had  again  set  us  free,  that  we  might  be 
among  our  Indian  brethren,  they,  at  the  same  time,  or- 
dered us  to  encourage  our  Indian  brethren  to  make  ready 
for  departure,  and  promised  us  also  that  upon  the  journey 
we  should  always  be  with  our  Indian  brethren,  and  that 
they,  the  warriors,  would  always  encamp  behind  us,  in 
order  that,  if  we  were  attacked,  they  might  fight  for 
us.  The  first  was  agreeable  to  us  for  this  reason,  that 
the  warriors  might  not  overpower  our  sisters  and  separate 
us  from  them,  which  we  had  reason  enough  to  fear. 

It  is  also  to  be  observed  that  the  Half-King,  as  soon  as 
he  came,  made  quite  another  speech  than  he  had  made  to 
us  at  Lichtenau,^  in  August,  1777,  when  he  established 
with  us,  as  it  were,  a  bond  of  friendship,  and  had  de- 
clared us,  white  brethren,  his  fathers,  of  which  he  now 
made  no  mention,  but  named  us  cousins,  and  our  Indian 
brethren  likewise.  We  made  ready  for  departure,  order- 
ing our  Indian  brethren  from  Schonbrunn  to  come  hither. 
Thus,  on  the  8th  we  made  a  beginning,  and  we  white 
brethren  went  b}'  water,  and  in  the  evening  got  to  Salem, 
where  we  waited  two  dixys  for  our  brethren  until  they  all 
followed,  and  since  we  could  be  alone  there  and  in  quiet,  we 
white  brethren  strengthened  ourselves  with  the  body  and 
blood  of  our  Saviour  in  the  holy  sacrament,  and  realized 
our  Scripture-verse  of  to-day  (Is.  Ixv.  13,14),  of  which,  in 
our  present  circumstances,  we  stood  in  pressing  need. 
The  Saviour  comforted  us  also  in  our  trouble,  and  let  his 
friendly  face  shine  over  us. 

On  the  9tli,  the  sermon  was  upon  the  Scripture-verse  of 

^A  Christian  Indian  town  below  Coshocton,  0.,  abandoned  by  the 
converts  in  1780. 


16  zeisberger's  diary. 

the  day,  and  the  little  son  of  Brother  Abel  and  Sister 
Johanette,  born  on  the  3d  Inst.,  in  the  night  when  we 
were  captured,  was  baptized  into  the  death  of  Jesus  by  the 
name  of  Jonas.  We  were  thankful  to  the  Saviour,  and  it 
did  us  much  good  that  we  could  be  among  our  people,  for 
it  is  a  hellish  life  to  be  among  murderers  and  robbers,  and 
in  their  power. 

On  the  10th,  early  service  was  from  the  Scripture-verse: 
Behold,  the  Lord's  hand  is  not  shortened,  etc.  Especially 
at  this  time  we  had  beautiful,  comforting,  and  hopeful 
Scripture- verses,  only  we  wished  them  to  be  at  once  ful- 
filled ;  thus  we  should  have  been  helped  at  once,  yet  we 
must  still  content  ourselves  in  hope  and  faith. 

ISTow  came  also  100  warriors  here  from  Gnadenhiitten, 
and  the  wild  life  went  on  with  them  as  before.  Our 
brethren  from  Schonbrunn  and  Salem  came  together,  and 
encamped  by  the  river.  One  can  easily  imagine  that  all 
the  brethren  were  bewildered,  and,  as  it  were,  in  a  dream, 
so  that  they  could  hardly  trust  their  senses.  We  knew 
now  that  the  warriors  would  not  be  got  rid  of  until  we 
should  be  forth  with  them,  and  they  had  left  our  towns 
to  go  to'  war;  there  was  thus  nothing  better  than  to  go. 

On  the  11th,  we  broke  up,  and  thus  turned  our  backs 
upon  our  homesteads  and  places  where  we  had  enjoyed  so 
much  that  was  good  and  blessed  from  the  hands  of  the 
Saviour,  and  where  he  had  really  been  among  us  and  with 
us.  Before  us  we  saw  indeed  nothing  wherein  to  rejoice, 
yes,  we  could  imagine  nothing  but  need,  misery,  and  dan- 
ger, and  otherwise  had  we  nothing  to  look  forward  to. 
We  must  possess  our  souls  in  patience,  and  go  where  cer- 
tainly we  were  unwilling  to  go,  for  we  saw  no  other  re- 
sult from  our  actions,  but  we  went  towards  more  misery 
and  hardship ;  thus  also  were  our  Indian  brethren  minded, 
but  they  must  go  against  their  will.  Could  they  have 
acted  according  to  their  inclination,  or  secretly  brought  it 
about,  many  of  them  would  have  got  away,  and  we  should 
have  been  scattered,  but  it  could  not  be,  for  the  warriors 
not  only  did  not  let  us  whites  out  of  their  sight,  but  also 
not  the  Indian  brethren  either,  and  had  such  careful  over- 


IN    THE   WILDEKNESS,  1781.  17 

sight  of  US  that  none  could  escape  ;  they  dared  not  re- 
main behind,  they  must  go  forth  with  us.  Indeed,  many 
of  our  Indian  brethren,  who  always  had  an  inclination  for 
the  savages,  and  were  of  the  opinion  we  should  all  go  off 
to  them,  felt  now  they  had  nothing  good  to  expect,  and 
began  to  perceive  that  they  had  wished  and  sought  what  was 
bad  for  themselves,  and  began  now  to  regret  it,  but  too  late. 

We  came  on  September  14th,  to  Goschachgunk 
(Coshocton),  encamping  on  the  Walhonding,  from  which 
place  we  broke  up  on  the  16th,  and  followed  up  this  creek 
northwards.  Many  brethren  went  by  land,  others  again 
by  water,  just  as  they  could  get  on.  It  was  a  good  thing 
for  our  sisters  with  the  children  that  they  could  go  by 
water,  for  by  land  it  would  have  been  hard  indeed  for 
them  to  travel  such  a  long,  bad,  unbroken  way,  for  here 
one  must  expect  no  such  travelled  and  good  road  as  to 
Pittsburg.  We  continued  our  services,  and  had  them 
nearly  every  evening,  even  if  the  brethren  could  not 
always  come  together  for  night-quarters,  and  the  war- 
riors, who  went  with  us,  commonly  lay  a  little  distance 
from  us. 

The  18th.  Since  it  rained  very  hard  last  night,  and  the 
creek  was  sWoUen,  we  had  to  go,  huts  and  all,  away  from 
the  creek  to  higher  ground,  since  we  were  in  danger  of 
overflow.  Two  canoes  with  their  whole  lading  were 
swept  away  by  the  stream,  and  the  brethren  lost  all  they 
had,  for  they  sank  to  the  bottom.  This  concerned  us  too, 
for  in  one  of  the  canoes  were  many  of  our  things,  all  of 
which  we  lost,  and  before  this  not  much  was  left  us.  A 
child,  two  years  old,  that  died  yesterday,  was  here  buried. 

On  the  19th,  came  to  us  the  Half-King  with  the  Wyan- 
dots  from  Salem,  where  they  had  passed  the  time,  and  not 
only  completed  the  plundering  of  our  towns,  but  had  also 
seized  upon  the  things  which  our  brethren  had  buried  or 
hidden  in  the  woods,  as  many  as  they  could  find. 

The  same  day  a  war-party  came  back  from  the  settle- 
ments with  two  prisoners,  from  whom  we  heard  that  when 
the  news  of  our  being  taken  captives  reached  Pittsburg, 
they  wished  at  first  to  follow  after  us  and  rescue  us  from 
2 


18  zeisberger's  diary. 

the  hands  of  the  warriors,  but  that  they  afterwards  gave 
this  up.  This  had  hitherto  been  our  greatest  concern, 
that  if  this  should  happen,  we  should  be  placed  in  the 
greatest  danger,  and  with  our  Indian  brethren  come  be- 
tween two  fires,  for  the  first  thing  would  have  been  to  kill 
us  whites.     This  also  the  Saviour  turned  away  from  us. 

On  the  20th,  a  sister  was  brought  to  bed  with  a  daughter, 
and  on  the  21st  was  another  born.  Then  a  couple  of  our 
young  people  took  away  from  the  Wyandots  one  of  our 
horses,  which  they  had  in  their  hands,  together  with  the 
saddle.  And  two  of  our  sisters  took  away  from  them  a 
great  kettle  which  they  had  appropriated  and  which  be- 
longed to  us,  and  gave  it  to  us  again. 

After  we  had  lain  quiet  four  days,  on  account  of  high 
water,  on  the  21st  we  moved  on,  and  encamped  on  the  22d 
at  the  second  fork  of  this  creek  where  is  an  old  Indian 
town,  and  a  pleasant  beautiful  country,  as  indeed  all  along 
the  creek  so  far  as  we  have  come. 

The  23d  we  lay  still.  Poraoacan  came  to  us  with  his 
council,  and  told  us  to  hasten  on  to  Sandusky  and  to 
leave  behind  those  who  could  not  go  forward.  Some 
w^omen  were  brought  in  prisoners.  The  Monseys,  who 
had  thus  far  journeyed  with  us,  left  us  and  went  home 
another  way.  Their  captain  spoke  with  us,  and  showed 
his  displeasure  at  the  conduct  of  the  Wyandots  to- 
wards us. 

On  the  24th  we  went  on  both  by  land  and  by  water.  The 
creek  forked  here,  and  our  Indians  wished  to  go  up  the 
greatest  and  strongest  fork,  which  would  have  been  easier 
and  better  to  follow,  but  the  Wyandots  would  not  permit 
it,  and  we  must  go  up  the  other  creek,  which  was  hard  to 
follow  it  was  so  small. 

We  passed  Memekasink,  an  old  Indian  town,  and  sev- 
eral such  places,  and  they  who  went  by  land  always  took 
their  course  as  nearly  as  possible  towards  those  who  went 
bv  water,  so  that  we  might  have  night-quarters  together. 
Brs.  Michael  Jung  and  Edwards,  who  went  by  water  with 
the  Indians,  found  wild  honey.  On  the  26th  we  came  to 
Gokhosing,  the  last  old  town  on  this  creek,  and  here  our 


IN    THE    WILDERNESS,  1781.  19 

journeying  by  water  ended,  and  from  there  on  we  had  to  go 
by  land.  We  had  hard  work  to  come  so  far  with  canoes, 
for  very  often  they  had  to  be  dragged  over  shallow  places. 
Here  we  stayed  till  the  28th,  until  all  those  came  up  who 
were  behind.  The  Wyandots,  who  always  urged  us  on, 
had  to  borrow  some  horses  for  us,  since  we  had  not 
enough  and  our  Indian  brethren  found  all  theirs  needful 
for  their  own  use.  The  Delawares  left  us  here  also, 
and  went  home,  as  the  Shawanese  had  already  done  the 
day  before  yesterday,  and  the  Wyandots,  whose  number 
was  now  small,  remained  with  us.  With  these  then  we 
set  out,  and  while  our  Indian  brethren  were  still  packing 
up  when  we  went  away,  we  white  brethren  w^ere  quite 
alone  with  the  warriors,  who  drove  us  on  like  cattle, 
without  having  the  least  compassion  for  the  children  and 
sisters,  for  they  left  them  no  time  to  give  the  children 
drink  once.  Besides  the  way  was  very  bad,  for  it  went 
through  a  swamp  and  many  marshes,  where  at  times  the 
horses  stuck  fast.  Susanna  (Zeisberger's  wife)  fell  twice 
in  quick  succession  from  her  horse,  and  it  was  a  wonder 
she  got  off  with  little  harm.  Some  Indian  brethren  hur- 
ried after  us  with  all  their  might,  as  they  could  easily  con- 
jecture that  the  Wyandots  would  hurry  us  on,  heels  over 
head:  they  overtook  us  as  we  were  about  to  get  ournight- 
quarters  ready,  which  we  should  have  done  near  the  war- 
riors, had  not  our  brethren  come,  but  now  we  encamped 
somewhat  away  from  them. 

The  29th.  Early  before  we  broke  up,  several  brethren 
came  to  us,  which  gave  us  joy,  and  took  us  again  out  of 
the  hands  of  the  warriors,  and  told  them,  if  they  were  in 
such  haste,  they  could  go  their  way  and  would  not  find 
it  necessary  to  wait  for  us.  We  came  at  noon  of  the  30th 
through  the  swamp  at  the  head  of  the  Scioto,  and  into  a 
country  altogether  diiFerent  from  what  we  had  thus  far 
passed  through.  We  went  through  a  perfect  plain,  where 
there  is  nothing  but  grass,  which  is  so  high  and  long  that 
on  horseback  a  man  can  hardly  see  over  it,  only  here  and 
there  a  little  clump  of  bushes.     No  hill,  much  less  a  moun- 


20  zeisberger's  diary. 

tain,  in  sight,  but  all  the  land  is  flat,  consequently  it  is  a 
moist  soil,  since  the  rain-water  can  not  run  off. 

Oct.  1.  At  noon  we  came  to  the  Sandusky,  where  we 
encamped.  Here  the  Wyandots  left  as  and  went  on  ten 
miles  towards  their  home,  after  they  had  abandoned  us  in 
the  wilderness,  where  there  was  no  food  to  be  found  and 
no  game  to  hunt,  and  many  among  our  brethren  had 
nothing  left  to  eat,  but  lived  only  upon  what  those,  who 
yet  had  something,  divided  with  them.  In  the  evening  we 
considered  our  beautiful  Scripture-verse  of  to-day:  My 
people  shall  dwell  in  a  peaceable  habitation,  etc.,  which  we 
applied  to  ourselves,  and  comforted  us  with  its  beautiful 
promise. 

On  the  2d  we  went  a  couple  of  miles  down  the  creek 
and  encamped  on  a  height  in  the  plain,  in  a  little  thicket, 
near  an  old  Wyandot  town,  on  the  creek.  Bat  the  neigh- 
borhood did  not  please  us,  for  upon  the  plain  there  is  no 
timber,  and  where  there  is  wood  and  timber-land,  it  is 
a  perfect  swamp  and  morass.  But  for  the  time  being  we 
built  our  huts,  until  we  could  find  a  better  place. 

The  3d.  Yesterday  and  to-day  the  brethren  arrived, 
who  had  remained  behind.  Pomoacan  with  his  counsellors 
visited  us  and  made  a  speech  to  our  Indians.  He  said  he 
was  much  rejoiced  that  we  were  now  with  them,  and  that 
all  who  had  the  same  color,  were  together,  a  thing  they 
had  already  long  wished ;  we  should  now  only  look  to  him, 
guide  ourselves  by  him,  and  if  the  Virginians  should 
come,  do  as  he  would  do.  But  about  our  holdino^  our 
religious  services  as  we  had  been  wont,  which  he  had 
always  promised  us  in  Gnadenhiitten,  he  made  not  the 
least  mention,  but  now  began  to  go  on  with  his  speech,  and 
summoned  our  Indians  to  fight.  Further,  he  said  we 
should  see  the  neighborhood  and  settle  where  it  best  pleased 
us,  as  far  as  where  the  Sandasky  falls  into  the  lake,  but  if 
it  pleased  us  here  in  the  old  town,  since  there  was  good 
pasturage,  it  was  all  the  same  to  him.  There  yet  stood  in 
the  old  town  many  houses  which  he  offered  for  our  use,  if 
we  wished.  But,  in  the  first  place,  on  account  of  wood,  it 
was  hard  for  us,  for  none  could  be  had  far  or  near.     Sec- 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,    1781.  21 

ondly,  it  was  a  pit  of  murdered  men,  where  only  a  year 
before  many  prisoners  had  been  tortured  to  death  and 
burnt  alive,  evidences  of  which  were  plainly  to  be  seen. 
When  we  were  still  on  the  Muskingum,  they  had  proposed 
to  us  a  place  on  Lake  Erie,  which  they  had  destined  for 
us,  and  the  Monseys  would  have  been  pleased  if  we  had 
gone  there,  but  no  one  of  our  brethren  was  acquainted 
with  it.  We  considered  together  what  to  do,  and  resolved 
rather  to  be  quiet  and  not  to  give  ourselves  useless  trouble, 
for  we  and  the  brethren  had  nothing  to  live  on. 

Since  we  knew  not  what  was  best  for  us,  and  had  the 
choice,  yet  would  be  glad  to  know  the  Saviour's  mind,  we 
took  advice  of  him,  and  he  let  us  know  that  the  best 
thing  for  us  was  to  winter  at  Upper  Sandusky,  and 
that  was  also  our  heart's  desire. 

4.  After  we  had  better  examined  the  country  around 
us,  and  had  passed  a  place  ^  a  mile  up  the  creek,  where 
there  was  good  timber  for  building,  although  it  was 
not  beautiful  to  the  sight,  but  there  was  none  better  to  be 
found,  we  began  at  once  to  build  houses,  and  on  the  7th 
we  mov^ed  to  the  place,  only  we  had  lack  of  sustenance, 
and  it  would  have  been  a  much  wished-for  thing  had 
manna  rained  from  heaven.  Br.  Schebosh,  with  his  wife 
and  sister  Rachel,  arrived  with  their  families,  who  had  re- 
mained behind.  Conner,^  who  stayed  with  his  family  in 
the  old  town,  and  was  about  to  go  to  Lower  Sandusky, 
came  here  and  said  to  us  that  he  had  heard  a  rumor 
among  the  Indians  that  we  white  brethren  would  be 
brought  to  Detroit,  which  indeed  we  had  already  heard, 

^  In  regard  to  the  site  of  this  »place,  see  Eutterfield's  Crawford's 
Campaign  against  Sandusky,  pp.  162,  163,  180.  llobert  Clarke  &  Co., 
Cincinnati,  1873. 

^Eicbard  Conner,  from  Maryland,  married  a  white  girl,  a  captive 
of  the  Shawanese.  At  the  close  of  Dunmore's  war  they  settled  at 
Pittsbui-g,  but  later  came  to  Schonbrunn  in  search  of  their  son,  who 
was  still  among  the  savages.  Here,  contrary  to  Moravian  usage, 
they  were  permitted  to  dwell  and  were  "  consistent  and  worthy  mem- 
bers" of  the  church.  When  our  Indians  left  New  Gnadenhiitten,  on 
Huron  (Clinton)  river  in  Michigan,  Conner  remained  behind. 


22  zeisberger's  diary. 

but  taken  little  notice  of,  for  besides,  we  were  disposed  that 
at  least  two  of  us  should  make  a  journey  there  as  soon  as 
we  should  have  got  our  houses  built  and  show  ourselves 
to  the  governor  there  in  person. 

Oct.  10.  Came  man}^  Delawares  and  Monseys  to  visit 
us  from  the  neighborhood,  but  alas  !  almost  none  is  will- 
ing to  hear  about  the  salvation  of  his  soul,  but  they  joke 
and  laugh  about  it,  when  it  is  spoken  of  to  them,  l^ews 
came  in  also  that  the  Half- King's  two  sons,  who  between 
here  and  the  Muskingum  had  gone  away  from  us  back  to 
the  settlements,  had  fallen  in  the  war  there,  on  which  ac- 
count in  the  "Wyandot  towns  there  was  great  lamenting, 
outcrying  and  weeping  among  men  and  women,  and  after 
this  the  Half-King  always  blamed  us  that  we  were  the 
cause  of  the  death  of  his  sons,  and  he  could  not  be  per- 
suaded to  the  contrary. 

11.  The  brethren,  who  are  all  busy  in  building  and 
have  much  to  do,  fenced  in  a  place  in  the  middle  of  the 
town  and  made  it  ready  for  holding  our  meetings,  since 
at  present,  on  account  of  our  much  labor,  we  could  not 
think  of  building  a  house,  and  w^hile  the  daily  services 
were  held  in  the  evening,  we  made  two  fires  in  the  midst, 
which  served  us  in  place  of  lights.  We  white  brethren 
got  our  houses  under  roof.  They  were  small  and  slightly 
built,  but  we  were  yet  joyful  that  we  could  have  a  place 
to  hide  ourselves  in  from  the  cold  this  winter,  so  long  as 
the  dear  Lord  shall  permit  us  to  dwell  in  the  same  in 
peace  and  quiet,  at  least  until  the  coming  spring. 

12.  Came  really  all  of  our  Indian  brethren  who  had  to 
remain  behind  in  Gokhosing,  from  which  place  we  went 
by  land,  so  that  we  were  now  again  all  together.  Two 
widows,  however,  had  gone  to  their  friends  among  the 
Shawanese,  because  they  thought  they  could  better  live 
there.  Since  we  white  brethren  had  nothing  more  to  eat, 
those  brethren  who  yet  had  something,  got  together  some- 
Indian  corn  for  us,  many  giving  a  handful,  others  some- 
what more,  according  to  their  means,  and  thus  something 
like  a  bushel  and  a  half  was  collected  for  us.  We  sent 
word  to  Pomoacanthat  our  brethren  wanted  to  go  to  their 


UPPER   SANDUSKY,    1781.  23 

towns  and  harvest  their  maize,  so  that  if  he  wished  to 
send  with  them  any  of  his  people,  they  might  make  them- 
selves ready.  This  we  did  because  they  always  had  a  sus- 
picion against  us  that  we  were  still  in  correspondence  with 
those  in  Pittsburg.  At  the  evening  meeting  Br.  Hecke- 
welder  baptized  into  Jesus'  death  a  child  born  on  the 
third  of  this  month  with  the  name  Samuel. 

13.  A  Frenchman  from  the  Shawano  towns  came 
here  to  buy  cattle;  from  the  same  place  also  came  one  of 
our  Indians,  who  had  heard  much  concerning  us  there, 
that  the  Shawanese  were  much  displeased  with  the  Dela- 
wares  and  Wyandots,  that  they  had  brought  us  away  from 
our  towns  and  placed  us  in  such  want,  when  we,  where  we 
used  to  be,  not  only  would  have  had  every  thing  in 
abundance,  but  could  have  given  also  to  others  who  were 
in  need  ;  they  had  always  comforted  themselves  with  the 
thought,  that  if  they  suffered  want,  they  could  yet  from  us 
get  or  buy  something,  and  we  were  the  only  hope  of  all 
the  Indians,  that  we  could  keep  them  alive  with  wife  and 
children,  but  now  they  had  no  more  hope  left ;  they,  the 
Wvandots  and  Delawares,  were  thus  the  cause  of  ruin  to 
so  many  Indians. 

14.  During  the  sermon  from  the  text.  Thou  shalt  love 
the  Lord,  thy  God,  with  all  thy  heart  and  with  all  thy 
soul  and  with  all  thy  mind,  two  children  were  baptized  into 
Jesus'  death.  The  first,  the  daughter  of  Br.  Adam  and 
Sister  Sabina,  born  on  the  journey,  Sept.  20th,  by  the  name 
of  Mary;  the  other,  the  daughter  of  Br.  Adolph  and  Sis- 
ter Susanna,  born  Sept.  21st,  by  the  name  of  Martha.  In 
the  afternoon  Wenginund  came  with  Pipe's  brother,  who 
made  known  to  us  a  message  from  Mr.  McKee  (English 
Indian  agent)  to  the  Delawares  and  Wyandots,  which  was 
as  follows  :  "  My  children,  your  father  over  the  lake  has 
been  much  pleased  at  the  news  that  you  have  brought 
in  the  believing  Indians  with  their  teachers,  so  that  now 
all  nations  may  be  one  and  that  the  hinderances  are  out 
of  the  way;  that  the  birds  will  no  longer  sing  in  the 
woods  and  tell  you  many  lies.  And  now  the  Virginians 
will  be  in  darkness  and  light  will  shine  for  them  no  more. 


24  zeisbekger's  diary. 

It  is  left  to  you  where  you  shall  be  pleased  to  establish 
them  and  where  they  can  dwell.  In  a  few  days  a  boat  is 
expected  for  you  from  Detroit  at  the  Miami  (Mauraee) 
river  with  ffoods.  You  must  all  o-o  there  to  receive  them. 
Your  father  over  the  lake  requests  also  that  Capt.  Pipe 
and  Wenginund  should  bring  to  him  the  ministers  with 
some  of  the  principal  believing  Indians,  for  he  would  like 
to  see  them  and  talk  with  them,  and  he  says  :  '  I  know  bet- 
ter how  to  talk  with  them  than  you  do,  for  I  know  them  ; 
I  can  also  better  take  care  of  them  and  entertain  them  than 
you  can,  since  I  have  means  therefor.'  "  We  answered  him, 
this  was  pleasant  for  us  to  hear;  we  would  hold  ourselves 
ready  so  soon  as  they  found  it  good.  Moreover,  we  should 
have  gone  to  Detroit,  even  if  we  had  not  been  asked.  And 
as  we  learned  from  him  that  the  sisters  were  not  summoned, 
we  said  to  him  we  should  be  forced  to  leave  two  broth- 
ers with  them,  for  we  could  not  leave  them  alone,  and  this 
he  did  not  oppose. 

15.  Many  of  our  bretViren  went  to  the  neighboring  towns 
to  get  corn,  but  it  is  enormously  dear,  and  there  is  little  to 
be  had,  although  it  is  just  harvested,  for  the  Indians  did 
not  plant  enough  for  themselves. 

On  the  17th  IsraeP  came  to  visit  us  from  the  Shawanese. 
In  the  spring,  when  Goschachgiink  was  destroyed,  he,  with 
the  other  Delawares  who  remained  behind,  on  their  way 
to  Pittsburg,  had  been  overpowered  in  Gnadenhiitten,  and 
carried  oft'  there,  where  he  had  since  been.  He  complained 
to  us  of  his  outer  and  inner  need,  the  unrest  of  his  heart, 
and  wished  to  be  again  with  us.  He  showed  great  sym- 
pathy with  us  white  brethren  in  our  tribulations,  and  we 
had  sympathy  with  him,  for  he  loved  us. 

18.  The  assistant  brethren  considered  together  and  set- 
tled, who  of  them  should  go  with  us  to  Detroit,  who  should 
go  with  the  brethren  to  the  Muskingum  to  get  corn,  and 
who  of  them  should  remain  as  guards,  that  the  town  might 
not  be  quite  deserted,  all  of  Avhich  was  regulated  and  es- 


^  Delaware  chief  of  the  Unalachtgos  (Turkey)   tribe,  converted   at 
Lichtenau,  1776,  called  Captain  Johnny. 


UPPEK    SANDUSKY,    1781.  25 

tablished.  On  the  19th  Israel  spoke  again  withi  us.  After 
he  had  again  gone  home  and  said  that  he  was  resolved  to 
make  himself  quite  free,  to  give  up  his  rank  as  chief  and 
to  come  back  to  us,  for  he  was  weary  with  his  restless 
heart,  so  to  go  about,  and  he  believed  it  would  be  well  with 
him  if  he  should  ao-ain  be  with  us.  He  wished  onlv  to  go 
home,  to  put  his  affairs  in  order,  and  yet  during  the  winter 
to  come  again,  and  this  afterwards  so  happened.  There 
came  also  back  to  us  two  families,  who  over  a  year  before, 
had  left  the  church,  and  through  all  sorts  of  circumstances, 
relapsed  into  error.  We  now  learned  the  real  connection 
of  events  and  reason  for  our  captivity  from  trustworthy 
hands  and  who  were  the  peculiar  causes  of  our  whole  fate. 
We  had  already  heard  something  thereof  in  Gnadenhiit- 
ten,  but  we  reflected  little  upon  it,  because  we  were  not 
certain  about  it.  What  the  occasion  must  have  been  and 
what  sort  of  reason  was  brought  forward  for  such  a  plan, 
all  this  is  unknown  to  us.  The  Six  Nations  who  have 
woven  the  whole  plot  and  have  sought  to  bring  about  the 
destruction  of  the  Indian  church,  although  they  would  not 
themselves  undertake  to  do  it,  in  their  usual  crafty  way 
and  manner,  sent  a  messenger  to  the  Chippewas  and  Otta- 
was,  and  made  them  a  gift  of  the  whole  Indian  church  to 
cook  a  broth  of,  which  is  an  Indian  war-term,  and  means, 
"We  give  them  to  you  to  slay."  The  Chippewas  and  Otta- 
was  declined  this  offer,  saying  they  would  not  undertake 
this,  that  they  had  no  motives  thereto.  Hereupon  the  Six 
Nations  made  the  offer  to  the  Wyandots  in  the  same  words, 
and  they  undertook  it.  ISTow  the  Half- King  said  he  did  it 
to  rescue  the  believing  Indians  from  ruin  and  to  save  their 
lives.  Probably  he  did  it  from  political  motives,  thinking 
that  his  nation,  which  was  very  weak,  would  thereby  be- 
come strong,  for  he  is  hardly  in  condition  to  raise  over  a 
hundred  men,  so  very  much  has  his  people  melted  away  in 
the  last  war,  and  yet  more  in  the  present  one,  for  as  regards 
the  Wyandots  over  the  lake,  they  are  nothing  to  him,  but 
only  those  who  live  in  Sandusky.  This  was  the  occasion 
of  his  undertaking  the  expeditions  against  our  towns,  only 
he  wanted  the  consent  and  orders  of  the  governor  in  Detroit, 


26  zeisberger's  diary. 

and  so  soon  as  he  had  them,  he  set  to  work.  He  did 
not  imagine  that  he  was  able  to  do  this  alone,  and  there- 
fore took  to  himself  reinforcements.  He  took  with  him 
all  the  Delawares  and  Monseys  who  live  in  Sandusky,  and 
first  they  went  to  the  Shawanese,  where  they  held  a  secret 
council,  but  got  only  a  few  of  them.  The  warriors  did 
not  know,  when  they  were  marching  from  the  Shawanese 
to  our  towns,  what  the  scheme  was,  except  some  of  the 
captains;  and  the  two  Englishmen,  M(cXee)  and  E(lliot),^ 
who  kept  with  the  Shawanese,  left  nothing  undone  to  en- 
courage the  Half-King  and  the  captains.  Capt.  M.  made 
a  great  feast  for  the  warriors,  for  which  an  ox  was  roasted 
whole,  and  he  bade  them  bring  us  away,  and  should  it 
cost  us  our  lives,  it  was  of  no  consequence;  that  they  ex- 
pected good  success  from  this  expedition,  was  to  be  seen 
from  this,  that  they  sent  men,  namely,  whites,  who  should 
either  buy  our  cattle  from  us,  which  they  thought  to  do 
very  cheaply,  or  else  otherwise  get  possession  of  them, 
and  steal  them,  but  in  this  last  plan  they  had  no  success. 
The  Wyandots,  who  hitherto  had  pretended  to  be  friends 


^"  McKee  was  an  Indian  agent  of  the  British  government,  a  prisoner 
released  on  jiarole,  hurrying,  in  flagrant  violation  thereof,  to  Detroit, 
in  order  to  give  all  the  information  he  had  gathered  while  among  the 
Americans.  Elliot,  a  trader,  but  secretly  holding  the  commission  of 
a  British  captain,  had  been  at  Pittsburg  as  a  spy." — De  Schvveinitz, 
Life  of  Zeisberger,  p!  462,  in  recounting  events  of  1778. 

Matthew  Elliot  was  by  birth  an  Irishman.  At  the  breaking  out 
of  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  lived  in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a  tory. 
He  was  ever  afterwards  with  the  British,  and  held,  as  will  be  seen 
later  in  this  diary,  large  estates  in  Canada,  and  with  him  was  asso- 
ciated Alexander  McKee. — Crawford's  Campaign,  Butterfield,  .pp.  176- 
178. 

So  many  and  so  just  reproaches  have  been  cast  upon  these  two  men 
that  I  can  not  forbear  giving  a  few  words  I  have  found  in  commenda- 
tion of  McKee.  They  occur  in  an  extract  from  a  letter  writtetj  Jan. 
17,  1799,  quoted  in  "Sketches  of  the  City  of  Detroit,"  p.  62,  and  are: 
"  The  old,  virtuous  Col.  McKee  died  at  his  seat  on  the  river  Thames, 
the  day  before  yesterday.  His  I'emains  have  been  interred  this  after- 
noon with  great  pomp  at  the  seat  of  his  son,  Tom,  at  Petitte  Cote. 
.  .  .  Great  Britain  has  lost  a  great  support,  the  Indians  a  tender 
parent,  and  the  United  States  the  most  inveterate  and  unnatural 
enemy." 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,  1781.  27 

[but  this  lasted  only  until  they  had  a  good  chance  to  show 
us  their  treachery],  would  never  have  undertaken  to  do 
this,  had  they  not  been  supported  by  the  Delawares,  and 
these  two  have  carried  out  the  thing,  for  the  Monseys  and 
the  few  Shawanese,  who  were  indeed  in  the  camp,  after  a 
fashion  kept  themselves  aloof,  and  often  absented  them- 
selves, giving  it  to  be  understood  that  they  had  no  satis- 
faction in  the  conduct  towards  us,  and  they  showed  their 
discontent  with  it.  The  Monseys,  who  had  the  most 
friends  with  us,  for  by  far  the  greatest  part  of  our  church 
was  Monseys,  may  well  have  thought  on  this  occasion,  to 
get  their  friends  away  from  the  church,  and  to  control 
them,  which  may,  perhaps,  have  induced  them  to  take 
part  in  the  plan.  But  since  they  afterwards  failed  in  this, 
they  were  vexed  at  the  whole  expedition,  which  in  some 
way  also  may  have  been  the  case  with  the  Delawares,  for 
many  of  them  were  much  discontented  after  the  affair  was 
over.  The  Delawares — I  mean,  in  particular,  the  Unamis — 
about  whom  the  brethren  had  already  concerned  them- 
selves, and  taken  much  trouble  to  bring  them  to  recogni- 
tion of  their  salvation  and  of  their  Redeemer,  to  whom 
the  gospel  had  already  many  years  been  preached — the 
Delawares,  I  say,  had  not  received  it,  but  always  opposed 
it,  and  shown  themselves  enemies  of  the  gospel.  These 
let  themselves  be  used  as  tools  to  break  up  the  Indian 
church,  for  they  had  put  themselves  foremost  in  the  mat- 
ter, and  taken  upon  them  to  accomplish  it.  This  was 
from  the  very  beginning,  when  the  brethren  came  to  the 
Ohio,  their  common  saying:  "This  must  have  an  end, 
that  in  the  land  of  the  Indians  the  gospel  is  preached,  it 
must  cease,  and  it  would  yet  come  to  this."  So  long  as 
we  lived  on  the  Muskingum,  they  used  all  sorts  of  devices 
to  involve  us  with  themselves,  especially  in  their  chief 
things  and  councils,  for  they  thought  hereby  best  to  have 
access  to  our  Indians,  if  they  made  something  of  them, 
and  looked  upon  them  as  wise  and  intelligent  men,  and 
this  they  did  under  good  pretense  and  excuse,  in  so  subtle 
a  way  that  they  could  not  always  be  shaken  off  and  with- 
stood ;  hereby  they  sought  to  confound  us  little  by  little 


28  zeisberger's  diary. 

witli  themselves,  and  when  they  could  not  bring  this 
about,  they  tried  in  another  way  to  do  us  ill,  to  pervert 
our  people  in  all  sorts  of  ways,  and  to  turn  them  away 
from  the  church,  and  this  succeeded  with  some,  though 
they  were  but  few. 

Many  of  their  head-men  and  chiefs  tried  year  after  year 
to  force  themselves  into  the  church  under  the  finest  pre- 
tenses and  the  best  representations,  which  they  made  to 
us,  what  great  advantages  would  accrue  to  us,  how  it 
would  introduce  the  Indian  church  into  the  Indian 
country,  and  what  strong  increase  it  would  get  hereby, 
and  all  the  time  they  were  pretending  to  do  so  much  good, 
they  were  plotting  the  ruin  of  the  Indian  church,  which, 
besides,  they  could  not  altogether  conceal,  for  when  they 
coH,ild  get  at  one  of  our  weak  people,  they  left  nothing  un- 
done to  lead  him  astray.  Had  their  chiefs  who  worked  so 
hard  to  get  into  the  church  succeeded  in  so  doing,  in  a 
shorter  or  a  longer  time  they  would  have  become  masters 
of  it.  They  would  have  acted  as  chiefs  of  it,  and  have 
wished  to  lay  down  rules  for  us,  and  to  assert  their  own 
authority.  When  at  the  outset  we  tried  to  be  rid  of  them 
by  good  means,  and  this  was  of  no  use,  we  made  several 
statements  why  it  Avas  not  for  them  to  dwell  in  the  church, 
and  when  they  saw  that  they  could  not  attain  their  end, 
they  became  angry  with  us,  and  sought  to  harm  us  when 
they  could.  By  all  this  I  do  not  wish  to  deny  that  many 
of  them  were  our  good  friends,  and  convinced  we  taught 
the  Indians  nothing  but  good. 

20.  We  moved  again  into  houses,  which  we  had  built  us 
for  the  winter,  after  passing  fully  two  months  in  huts  and 
tents  in  the  bush,  where  we  had  all  sorts  of  night-quar- 
ters and  lodges.  Thanks  be  to  the  good  Saviour  who 
gave  us  health  and  generally  good  and  dry  weather,  for 
both  were  necessary  and  precious  to  us. 

21.  In  the  Assistants'  Conference  we  resolved  to  take  no 
share  in  the  presents  given  to  the  warriors,  which  they 
were  to  receive  on  the  Miami  (Maumee),  from  the  governor 
in  Detroit,  if  indeed  they  should  be  oflered  us,  so  that 
none  of  our  Indians  might  find  it  needful  to  go  there.     It 


UPrER  SANDUSKY,   1781.  29 

would  be  said,  in  case  we  took  presents,  that  the  captains 
got  thereby  the  right  to  make  us  go  out  to  war  with  them, 
and  we  should  take  upon  ourselves  a  load  of  trouble. 
They  could  reproach  us  and  say  :  "  You  have  taken  gifts, 
now  you  must  do  service  therefor  as  we  do." 

22.  To-day,  and  the  following  days,  many  brethren  went 
to  our  towns  on  the  Muskingum  to  get  corn,  for  they  had 
nothing  to  eat  and  here  could  get  nothing.  Warriors  came 
in  with  two  prisoners,  who  had  been  six  days  in  Schon- 
brunn,  and  said  it  was  perfectly  quiet  there,  and  no  danger 
to  be  feared  from  white  people.  This  gave  our  brethren 
greater  courage  to  go  thither. 

1781,  Oct.  25.  After  several  days  had  gone  by,  it  was 
told  us  by  the  chiefs,  Pipe  and  Wenginund,  that  all  of 
us  white  brethren,  together  Avith  some  of  our  Indian 
brethren,  from  our  head-men,  must  go  to  Detroit,  where  the 
commandant  wished  to  see  us  in  person.  For  this  we 
showed  ourselves  willing  and  ready,  and  prepared  for  the 
journey  ;  only  we  obtained  one  thing  by  entreaty,  that  two 
brothers  might  stay  with  the  sisters,  whom  we  could  not 
leave  alone,  and  the  chiefs  could  not  make  the  least  objec- 
tion to  this,  since  they  saw  themselves  it  could  not  well 
be  otherwise.  Thus  we  four  brethren,  David,  Hecke- 
welder,  Sensemann,  and  Edwards,  with  the  Indian  breth- 
ren, William,  Isaac  Eschicanahund,  Tobias,  and  Joshua, 
went  our  way  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  took  tender  leave 
of  our  friends  and  departed,  committed  to  the  mercy  of 
Grod.  [N".  B. — Isaac  Glikkikan,  however,  did  not  go  with 
us.]  Truly  we  did  not  know  whether  we  should  all  meet 
again  and  whether  we  should  not  be  separated  from  one 
another.  On  this  account  the  leave-taking  was  somewhat 
doleful ;  at  the  same  time,  too,  that  we  must  leave  the 
brothers  who  remained  at  home,  namely,  Brs.  Jung- 
mann  and  Michael  Jung,  with  the  sisters,  in  wretched  cir- 
cumstances, that  we  knew  not  and  saw  not  on  what  they 
could  live  even  two  days,  on  which  account  we  recommended 
them,  the  best  we  could,  to  the  care  of  the  Indian  brethren, 
who,  however,  were  themselves  in  just  as  desperate  circum- 
stances and  had  nothing.     We  came  in  the  afternoon  to 


30'  zeisberger's  diary. 

Pipe  and  Wenginund's  town.  To  them  had  been  in- 
trusted by  the  commandant  to  bring  us  to  Detroit,  but  the 
first  had  ah-eady  gone  on  before  and  the  last  could  not  go. 
Thus  we  journeyed  with  our  Indian  brethren  our  way 
alone  and  got  some  corn  on  the  way,  although  very  little. 
All  the  Indians  we  saw  in  this  neighborhood  were  Dela- 
wares,  who  had  helped  take  us  prisoners  in  Gnadenhiit- 
ten,  and  were  therefore  not  strangers  to  us.  From  here 
we  soon  came  to  a  camp,  where  by  a  creek  we  found  a 
hut,  in  which  we  passed  the  night,  for  it  rained  very  hard. 

26.  "We  went  through  deep  swamps  and  troublesome 
marshes,  in  the  afternoon  came  upon  Indians  out  hunting, 
from  whom  we  got  some  meat,  and  with  whom  we  passed 
the  night.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  27th  we  came  out  of 
the  camp  and  met  on  a  creek  Indians  again  out  hunting, 
and  here  we  stayed.  Here  our  Isaac,  who  went  out  hunt- 
ing a  little,  shot  a  deer. 

Sunday,  28.  After  we  had  come  many  miles  over  plains 
where  there  was  nothing  but  water,  so  that  nowhere  a 
dry  spot  was  to  be  found,  where  we  could  dismount  from 
our  horses,  and  afterward  through  a  long  swamp  of  sev- 
eral miles,  where  also  no  bit  of  dry  land  was  to  be  seen, 
and  the  horses  at  every  step  must  wade  in  the  marsh  up 
to  their  knees,  we  came  in  the  afternoon  to  the  Miami 
river,  where  we  met  Pipe,  who  advised  us  to  remain  there 
over  night,  and  so  we  did. 

Monday,  29.  We  still  remained  here,  for  we  were  wait- 
ing for  Mr.  Elliot,  who  also  came  in  from  the  Shawanese,  to 
divide  among  the  Indians  of  the  whole  neighborhood  the 
presents  which  a  sloop  from  Detroit  had  brought  here.  We 
were  offered  the  opportunity  of  going  in  her  by  water,  but 
we  resolved  rather  to  continue  our  journey  by  land,  since 
the  voyage  is  very  uncertain,  for  often  they  have  to  wait 
several  days  before  getting  over  the  lake,  when  the  wind  is 
contrary.  The  Indians  had  many  prisoners  with  them  here, 
whom  they  were  taking  to  Detroit;  a  part  of  them  seemed 
very  miserable,  and  were  half  starved ;  many  of  them  came 
and  begged  for  something  to  eat,  and  though  we  were  our- 
selves in  want,  yet  we  gave  them  some  meat.     This  they 


JOURNEY   TO    DETROIT,    1781.  81 

eat  forthwith  on  the  spot,  raw  and  bloody  too,  and  did  not 
take  time  to  cook  it.  Towards  evening  there  arrived  an 
express  for  Pipe  with  the  news  that  some  of  our  Indian 
brethren  who  had  gone  to  Schonbrunn  and  our  towns  to 
get  corn  from  the  plantations,  had  been  taken  prisoners  by 
white  people,  and  also  some  of  them  put  to  death,  which 
was  for  us  disagreeable  and  grievous  news,  and  caused  us 
much  anxiety. 

Tuesday,  30.  We  went  a  piece  farther  to  Elliot's  camp, 
to  speak  with  him  again  before  we  set  out  for  Detroit,  but 
did  not  meet  with  him,  for  this  morning  he  went  down 
the  river  to  where  the  sloop  lay  ;  so  we  followed  after,  but 
missed  him,  he  having  gone  back  another  way  before  we 
arrived.  Meanwhile,  we  spoke  with  the  master  of  the 
sloop,  who  advised  us  to  go  back  to  the  camp  before  we 
went  farther,  so  that  on  our  journey  we  might  not  meet 
with  inconveniences,  and  this  we  then  did,  although  we 
had  not  intended  it,  and  we  came  late  in  the  evening 
again  to  the  cam.p  and  stayed  over  night.  Here  was 
our  Isaac,  who  had  remained  behind  in  our  last  night- 
quarters  and  intended  to  overtake  us,  but  never  came  in, 
and  brought  us  news  of  the  capture  of  some  of  our  breth- 
ren, and  also  that  three  or  four  had  been  killed;  likewise, 
that  the  white  people  in  large  numbers  were  under  full 
headway  for  Sandusky,  and  by  this  time  according  to  their 
reckoning  had  already  accomplished  their  purpose.  If 
now  we  wished  to  believe  this  news  true,  we  could  believe 
nothing  else  than  that  we  should  never  again  see  our 
brethren,  and  this  placed  us  in  "great  perplexity,  and  we 
thought  much  about  this,  what  was  best  for  us  to  do,  but 
we  saw  no  outcome,  we  must  push  on  to  Detroit.  Our 
only  hope  was  still  this,  that  if  the  news  was  true,  a  sec- 
ond and  third  messenger  would  follow  after  and  bring 
us  greater  certainty  about  the  matter. 

Wednesday,  31.  After  we  had  arranged  what  was  nec- 
essary with  Elliot,  and  had  been  informed  by  him  what 
we  had  to  do  after  we  came  to  Detroit,  since  Pipe,  who 
was  to  take  us  there  remained  here,  and  Elliot  had  given 
us  some  provision  for  the  journey,  we  Bet  out  early  on  our 


32  zeisberger's  diary. 

way  to  Detroit,  not  without  much  trouhle  and  perplexity 
over  the  news  and  the  danger  in  which  we  saw  and  con- 
sidered our  brethren  at  home.  Here  we  left  the  Tawa 
(Ottawa)  river,  so  called  because  the  Tawas  dwell  here, 
some  of  whose  towns  we  passed  through.  This  neighbor- 
hood was  much  commended  to  us  and  praised,  that  it  was 
a  fine  place  for  us  and  our  Indians  to  settle  in,  because  it 
had  also  the  advantage  that  the  vessels  from  Detroit  came 
there,  to  which  one  could  sell  every  thing,  be  it  what  it 
would,  and  so  get  subsistence,  at  the  same  time,  since  our 
Indians  had  many  cattle  and  busied  themselves  with  ag- 
riculture. But  we  saw  very  plainly  it  was  no  pleasant 
place  for  us,  although  the  forest  is  a  fine  open  forest,  yet 
it  has  no  other  cultivable  land  along  its  borders  than 
plains  on  which  nothing  but  high,  long  grass  grows,  so 
that  a  man  on  horseback  can  hardly  see  over  it.  The 
land  in  itself  is  good  enough,  but  so  tough  and  grassy 
that  our  Indians  could  not  work  it  or  plant  it;  granted 
that  it  could  be  plowed,  yet  the  open  land  is  good  for 
nothing  for  cultivation  since  it  is  too  wet  and  is  merely 
swamp  and  marsh;  yet  more  about  this  hereafter.  We 
met  to-day,  as  indeed  every  day  as  far  as  Detroit,  a  mul- 
titude of  Indians  of  various  nations,  who  were  all  bringing 
from  Detroit  horse-loads  of  wares  and  gifts,  and  in  such 
number  that  one  would  think  they  must  have  emptied  all 
Detroit.  We  came,  Thursday,  ^ov.  1st,  to  the  lake  along 
the  shore  or  strand,  where  we  went  some  distance  and  we 
looked  up  the  open  lake  without  seeing  any  land  on  the 
other  side.  Many  Indians  whom  we  met,  pitied  us,  and 
several  said  they  hoped  we  should  be  well  treated:  it 
would  distress  them  if  the  people  in  Detroit  should  treat 
us  ill. 

Friday  2.  We  came  partly  through  great  swamps  and 
marshes,  and  partly  over  great  plains,  through  much  water, 
to  the  strait  between  Lakes  Erie  and  Huron,  along  which 
we  went  up  as  far  as  Detroit.  Since  we  could  not  get  over  the 
river  Rush  (Rouge)  from  want  of  a  boat,  we  had  to  pass  the 
night,  three  miles  from  the  city,  under  the  open  heaven, 
but  had  nothing  more  to  eat.  ■  We  could  see  very  plainly 


IN    DETROIT,    1781.  33 

the  city  and  the  whole  country  round  about  on  both  sides  the 
river,  which  is  about  a  mile  wide.  We  passed  to-day  various 
towns  and  settlements  of  the  Wvandots,  but  nowhere  can 
it  be  seen  that  they  have  planted  much,  but  the}^  support 
themselves  by  hunting  and  fishing,  besides  they  contrive  to 
get  something  out  of  the  white  people  of  the  neighborhood. 
Saturday,  3.  We  had  indeed  asked  some  Indians  on 
the  other  side  of  the  river  to  go  to  the  commissioner  in  the 
city  and  tell  him  to  send  us  a  boat  and  take  us  over,  but 
this  morning  we  managed  to  borrow  from  Indians,  who 
live  across  the  strait,  a  canoe,  in  which  we  crossed,  and 
came  at  once  to  Detroit,  after  we  had  first  passed 
through  the  settlement  this  side  of  the  city,  which  is 
thickly  settled,  and  is  built  like  a  village  along  the  river. 
When  we  came  to  the  first  guard  and  asked  for  the  com- 
mandant,^ they  let  us  pass  and  showed  us  the  way  there. 
Thus  we  went  through  the  city  straight  before  his  house, 
and  had  ourselves  announced  by  the  sentinel:  in  a  little 
while  he  admitted  us  :  we  made  him 'our  compliments,  and 
he  asked  us  if  we  were  the  Moravian  Ministers  from  the 
Muskingum.  We  answered,  "  Yes."  Whether  we  had  all 
come,  for  he  had  heard  there  were  six  of  us.  Where  then 
were  the  others?  Answer:  "We  had  left  two  of  our  num- 
ber behind  us  in  Sandusky  with  our  wives  and  children, 
for  we  could  not  leave  them  alone,  since  they  needed  help, 
and  could  not  rightly  be  left  with  the  Indians."  He  asked 
us  then  why  we  had  not  brought  our  women  with  us, 
which  he  had  plainly  ordered,  for  he  had  it  in  mind  to 
send-us  back  to  Philadelphia.  Answer  :  "  We  had  expressly 
inquired  of  the  chiefs  whether  our  women  also  were  sum- 
moned, and  they  had  said  to  us,  no."    He  said  farther,  the 

^  The  commandant  of  Detroit  at  this  time  was  Major  Arent  Schuj^ler 
de  Peyster,  who  served  for  several  years  in  America  with  the  8th  Regi- 
ment. He  Avas  second  cousin  of  Gen'l.  Philip  Schuyler,  of  Albany. 
He  was  born  in  New  York  in  1736,  and  died  in  1832. 

In  the  year  1813  he  published,  at  Dumfries,  Scotland,  a  volume  of 
poems,  entitled,  Miscellanies  by  an  Officer.  In  the  appendix  to  this 
book  are  given  several  letters  relating  to  his  service  in  America,  and 
a  short  vocabulary  of  Ottawa  and  Chippewa  words.  This  rare  book  is 
in  the  Society's  Library. 


34  zeisberger's  diary. 

reason  why  he  had  had  ns  removed  from  our  settlements 
on  the  Muskingum  was  this,  that  he  heard  we  corresponded 
with  the  rebels  to  the  harm  of  the  government  here,  for 
many  complaints  against  us  came  in.  Answer:  "  We  did 
not  doubt  at  all  that  much  must  have  come  to  his  ears 
about  us,  for  this  we  could  infer  from  the  treatment  we 
had  to  endure,  but  that  he  must  have  been  wrongly  and 
ill  informed  about  us,  and  we  accused  of  things  of  which, 
were  they  investigated,  we  should  be  found  innocent."  He 
asked  farther,  who  had  come  with  us,  where  our  Indians 
were,  and  how  many  of  them  there  were,  likewise,  how 
many  men,  and  whether  we  thought  of  again  returning  to 
them. 

We  answered  him  that  four  of  our  Indians  had  come 
with  us,  that  our  Indians  now  in  Sandusky  were  altogether 
between  three  and  four  hundred,  that  we  indeed  gladly 
would  go  back  there  so  soon  as  we  were  set  free,  for  we 
could  not  look  upon  it  as  a  trifling  matter  to  be  apart  and 
separated  from  our  mission,  which  had  been  intrusted  to 
us,  and  if  this  should  happen,  would  of  itself  go  to  de- 
struction, and  all  our  labor  of  forty  years  would  have  been 
in  vain.  He  said,  "  Think  you  so?"  and  replied,  "But  if 
your  Indians  were  harmful  to  the  government  ?  "  Answer, 
"They  would  not  be  harmful,  but  useful,  that  would  he 
learn,  if  he  were  better  acquainted  with  us,  for  they  were 
an  industrious,  laborious  people."  He  asked  whether  our 
Indians  had  ever  gone  to  the  war.  Answer,  "  I^To."  He 
was  very  attentive,  and  took  notice  of  what  we  said  to 
him,  but  broke  off  the  conference  because  he  had  no  time, 
and  gave  the  commissioner,  whom  he  had  summoned,  or- 
ders about  our  lodging  and  entertainment,  and  about  our 
horses,  whereof  we  were  relieved.  He  told  us  that  to- 
morrow or  the  day  after  he  would  call  us  again  and 
then  speak  farther  with  us.  We  were  then  quartered  with 
a  Frenchman  (Mr.  Tybout),  together  with  our  Indians,  and 
some  provisions  were  sent  to  us  for  our  entertainment, 
which  also  was  so  done  as  long  as  we  were  there,  not  merely 
something,  as  is  usual  with  prisoners,  but  when  that  was 
gone,  we  could  get  more  for  ourselves  and  our  Indians. 


IN    DETROIT,    1781.  35 

Our  verse  of  Scripture,  with  which  we  came,  was  very- 
consoling  to  us.  It  read :  He  said,  surely  they  are  my  peo- 
ple, children  that  will  not  lie;  so  he  was  their  Saviour. 
Jesus  my  shepherd  is — 'Twas  he  that  loved  my  soul,  to 
him  in  his  mercy  we  committed  ourselves  and  our  aft'airs 
to  conduct  in  this  place,  where  it  seems  dark  indeed,  and 
where  as  yet  no  brother  has  been. 

Sunday,  4.  We  remained  quiet  in  our  lodgings. 
People  went  in  the  street  to  mass,  but  since  we  had  come 
in  very  wretched  clothes,  torn  and  ragged,  we  held  it  best 
not  to  go  out  much,  for  we  had  been  robbed  by  the  war- 
riors of  all  our  clothes,  and  Br.  Sensemann  got  here  again 
a  waistcoat,  which  a  white  man  had  bought  of  the  Indians, 
and  cheerfully  given  up  to  him  for  nothing;  likewise,  also, 
a  white  woman,  who  had  bought  a  white  apron,  gave 
it  back  again  for  nothing,  well  understanding  that  it  be- 
longed to  us.  Many  officers,  English  and  German,  and  also 
many  Frenchmen,  came  to  visit  us,  had  compassion  with 
us  that  we  had  been  so  ill-treated,  and  promised  to  help 
us,  so  far  as  lay  in  their  power.  The  French  priest^  also 
called  upon  us,  quite  an  old  man,  with  whom,  however, 
we  could  not  speak,  for  he  knew  not  English.  Several 
officers,  after  speaking  with  us,  said  they  had  become  of 
quite  another  mind  about  us,  and  if  the  commandant  had 
thus  heard  us,  as  they  had,  he  would  be  so  too. 

Monday,  5.  We  sought  to  get  an  audience  with  the 
commandant,  but  he  did  not  admit  us.  When  now  we  saw 
we  could  not  come  before  him,  we  wished  to  prepare  a 
memorial  to  send  him,  and  went  therefore  to  the  commis- 
sioner to  ask  for  paper  and  ink.  He  asked  us  what  we 
wanted  them  for,  whether  we  wished  to  send  letters  round 
about  the  country.  We  answered,  no,  but  to  the  com- 
mandant. He  said  it  was  not  necessary,  for  he  was  wait- 
ing for  Pipe,  and  would  determine  nothing  until  he  had 
heard  him.  In  the  evening  we  had  visits  from  officers, 
also  prisoners,  on  parole,  among  them  a  major  from  Vir- 

^  "  There  was  a  Roman  Catholic  church.     The  priest  was  then  Peter 
Simple,  an  aged  and  infirm  man." — Sketches  of  Detroit,  p.  6. 


36  zeisberger's  diary. 

ginia,  who  often  came  to  see  us,  knowing  us  from  having 
seen  us  on  the  Muskingum. 

Tuesday,  6.  Our  Indians  tried  to  get  an  audience  with 
the  commandant,  but  also  were  not  admitted.  This  even- 
ing, however,  we  heard  that  Pipe  was  near,  encamped  a 
few  miles  from  the  city.  Since  now  we  saw  that  our  trial 
rested  upon  Pipe,  that  Indians  and  warriors  were  to  pro- 
nounce our  sentence,  we  prepared  this  evening  a  speech 
to  him  with  entreaty  that  he  would  speak  for  us  before 
the  commandant,  and  be  helpful  to  us  to  get  back  again 
to  our  friends.  With  this  the  next  morning  quite  early 
the  brethren  went  out  to  meet  him  before  the  city,  and  he 
gave  them  a  good  reception.  So  we  had  to  stand  among 
heathen,  who  were  our  enemies  and  were  opposed  to  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel,  who  must  be  our  witnesses  and 
pronounce  judgment  upon  us,  although  we  were  among 
men  who  wished  to  be  called  Christians.  Br.  David  had 
already  on  the  way  and  also  here  arranged  Avith  the  Indian 
brethren  what  was  to  be  done  in  case  we  could  not  go 
back  again.  In  this  way  we  must  rely  upon  no  man,  but 
upon  Grod  alone,  who  will  also  conduct  our  affairs  and 
bring  them  about,  according  to  our  Scripture-verses  of  day 
before  yesterday,  yesterday,  and  to-day.^  I^^othing  else  is 
in  our  power  than  to  observe  what  the  Saviour  will  do 
and  bring  to  pass,  to  whom  we  commend  ourselves.  We 
learned  now  exactly  how  it  is  with  our  brethren  at  home, 
that  Schebosh  with  others  has  been  captured,  but  that  none 
has  perished,  and  that  all  is  quiet  at  home. 

Wednesday,  7.  We  heard  here  and  there  that  we 
should  be  brought  to  Montreal.  The  last  two  ships  of  this 
autumn  had  departed  ten  days  ago  for  JSTiagara;  so  we  could 
not  think  that  the  governor  had  any  such  plan  in  view, 
but  it  was  reported  that  they  were  awaiting  orders  still  in 
the  river  below.  Therefore  we  were  anxious  to  hear  the 
conclusion  about  us. 

Thursday,  8.  Pipe  came  into  Detroit  with  the  war- 
riors, as  is  usual,   with   the   Death-Hallow,  which   they 


^Is.  xl,  10;  XXV,  8;  xxviii,  5. 


IN    DETROIT,    1781.  37 

repeat  as  often  as  they  have  scalps  and  captives ;  the  former 
they  bore  aloft  on  stakes,  the  latter  they  drove  amon^ 
themselves  through  the  city,  just  as  is  the  custom  in  the 
Indian  towns. 

Friday,  9.  We  were  at  last  called  to  the  counciL 
When  we  came  in  we  saw  the  warriors  assembled,  and 
Captain  Pipe,  with  several  other  captains  with  him.  The 
commandant,  Major  de  Peyster,  with  several  officers,  sat 
in  front  of  them,  and  a  place  apart  was  pointed  out  to  us. 
After  they  were  all  assembled  Pipe  began  his  discourse, 
giving  to  the  commandant  his  scalps,  which  he  had  brought 
with  him,  and  said  to  him  among  other  things :  he  did  not 
knoAV  whether  the  deeds  he  had  done  were  praiseworthy, 
and  whether  he  had  done  right ;  perhaps  it  was  wrong 
that  he  had  ruined  these  men,  for  they  were  his  friends, 
not  the  Indians  theirs,  they  were  his  flesh  and  blood,  his 
nation,  and  his  color.  The  commandant  himself  took  the 
scalps  from  him,  and  had  them  put  aside.  In  the  same 
way  the  other  captains  acted  and  delivered  their  scalps, 
for  which  they  at  the  same  time  demanded  their  pay,  all 
of  which  he  took  from  them.  Thereupon  the  prisoners 
also  were  given  over  to  him.  We  had  our  own  thoughts 
about  this,  that  we  should  be  heard  judicially  in  a  war^ 
council,  and  our  sentence  spoken.  After  the  ceremonies 
were  over.  Pipe  arose  and  addressed  the  commandant,  as 
follows : 

"  Thou  hast  ordered  us  to  bring  the  believing  Indians 
with  their  teachers  from  the  Muskingum.  We  have  done 
so,  and  it  has  been  done  as  thou  hast  ordered  us.  When 
we  had  brought  them  to  Sandusky,  thou  didst  send  word 
to  us  to  bring  to  thee  here  the  ministers  and  some  of  the 
head-men  of  their  Indians,  thou  didst  wish  to  see  them  and 
to  speak  to  them,  for  thou  didst  know  better  than  we  how  to 
speak  with  them,  and  thou  couldst  also  better  entertain 
them  since  thou  hadst  no  lack  of  any  thing,  They  are 
now  here  before  thine  eyes,  thou  canst  now  thyself  speak 
with  them  as  thou  hast  desired,  but  thou  wilt  speak  good 
words  to  them,  and  I  say  to  thee,  speak  kindly  to  them, 
for  they  are  our  friends,  and  I  hold  them  dear  and  should 


38  zeisbefger's  diary. 

not  like  to  see  harm  befall  them."  This  last  he  repeated 
again,  and  then  sat  down.  The  commandant  addressed 
him  and  the  Indians,  saying  to  them  he  had  had  us 
brought  on  this  account,  because  he  had  heard  complaints 
against  us,  especially  that  we  had  corresponded  with  the 
rebels  and  from  time  to  time  given  them  news  when  the 
warriors  wished  to  make  attacks  on  their  settlements, 
whereby  many  warriors  came  to  harm,  that  many  lost 
their  lives,  and  since  the  warriors  had  always  said  they 
could  have  done  more  had  we  not  been  there.  If  this 
were  so,  we  were  harmful  to  this  government,  as  the  war- 
riors had  always  repeated  to  him ;  that  he  had  also  strictly 
given  orders  in  writing  that  we  should  not  remain  there, 
but  come  hither,  which,  however,  had  not  been  done ;  that 
that  was  the  reason  why  he  had  us  brought  in,  and  he 
said  to  Pipe,  since  the}"  were  now  altogether  to  tell  him 
the  exact  truth,  whether  this  were  so,  whether  the  com- 
plaints against  us  had  foundation  and  whether  we  had 
corresponded  with  the  rebels.  Pipe  answered,  there 
might  be  some  truth  about  the  thing,  for  he  could  not  say 
that  it  was  all  lies,  but  it  would  now  not  again  happen 
since  we  were  away  from  there  and  now  here,  where  it 
could  no  longer  happen.  But  this  answer  was  not  yet 
satisfactory  to  him,  on  which  account  he  asked  him  again  : 
"  So  they  have  then  corresponded  with  the  rebels  and 
sent  leters  to  Fort  Pitt ;  for  from  thine  answer  I  must 
conclude  that  it  is  true."  Pipe  became  somewhat  angry, 
arose,  and  said  .  "  I  have  told  thee  that  there  is  some- 
thing in  the  matter,  and  now  I  tell  thee  straight  out,  they 
who  are  ministers,  are  innocent,  they  have  not  done  it  of 
themselves,  they  had  to  do  it."  He  struck  himself  on  the 
breast,  and  said :  "  I  am  guilty  of  it  and  the  chiefs  who 
were  with  me  in  Goschachgiink ;  we  compelled  them  to 
it  and  forced  them;  thou  must  hold  us  responsible  for  this, 
but  since  we  are  now  here  it  will  not  happen  again,  as  I 
have  already  told  thee."  The  commandant  said  further  to 
Pipe  :  "  You  have  probably  at  home  not  only  thought 
about  the  ministers,  but  also  conferred  with  one  another 
what  was  best  to  be  done  with  them  ;  he  should  now  tell 


IN   DETROIT,    1781.  "  39 

him  whether  the  Indians  would  like  to  see  them  go  back 
to  their  Indians  or  whether  they  would  rather  see  that 
they  did  not  go  hack."  The  interpreter  did  not  rightly 
understand  this  question,  and  translated  it  wrongly  to  Pipe. 
We  soon  observed  this,  but  kept  perfect  silence,  since  thus 
far  we  had  been  questioned  about  nothing.  Since  we  had 
beforehand  conjectured  that  in  regard  to  our  abode  some- 
thing would  occur,  we  had  considered  with  one  another 
whether  we  should  do  any  thing  in  the  affair,  as  we  were 
here,  and  should  make  representations.  The  Saviour,  how- 
ever, did  not  approve  of  it,  and  so  we  kept  silent.  We 
saw  also  that  the  governor  left  it  to  us  and  the  Indians 
where  we  should  settle,  and  this  was  satisiactory  to  us,  for 
in  this  whole  country,  so  far  as  we  had  come,  we  have 
found  no  place  which  in  any  way  is  suitable  for  us,  and 
we  have  observed  that  every  step  we  have  made  towards 
the  north,  has  increased  our  wretchedness.  The  com- 
mandant heard  then  from  the  answer  that  they  had  not 
understood  and  repeated  his  question,  when  Pipe  an- 
swered him  :  They  had  promised  the  believing  Indians, 
when  they  were  themselves  brought  away,  that  their 
teachers  should  remain  with  them  as  hitherto,  and  that 
they  should  have  their  religious  services  unhindered;  it 
was  not  their  thought  that  they  should  be  robbed  of  their 
teachers;  it  would  be  pleasing  to  them  if  they  were  again 
suffered  to  return  to  them,  for  they  looked  upon  the  min- 
isters as  their  friends,  their  flesh  and  blood.  All  was 
written  down. 

Thereupon,  the  commandant  turned  to  us,  and  asked 
whether  all  of  us  there  were  ordained  ministers?  Answer  : 
"  Yes."  Whether  one  of  us  was  superior  over  the  others  ? 
Answer:  "Yes,  namely,  Br.  David."  Whereupon,  he 
turned  to  him  and  asked :  "  How  long  already  we  had 
been  with  the  Indians?"  Br.  David  replied:  "Already 
more  than  thirteen  years  ago  he  had  come  to  the  Ohio  ;  the 
others  first  after  him,  one  earlier,  another  later."  "  Whether 
we  had  gone  among  the  Indians  of  our  own  accord,  to 
teach  them,  or  whether  we  had  been  sent?"  Answer: 
"  We  were  sent  to  the  Indians  to  preach  them  the  gospel." 


40  '  zeisbeuger's  diary. 

"By  whom?"  Answer:  "By  our  church,  which  is  an  old 
Episcopal  Church."  Question  :  "  Where  are  your  bish- 
ops?" Answer:  "Here  in  this  country  and  in  Europe." 
Question :  "  Where  have  the  bishops  come  from,  who  are 
in  this  country?"  Answer:  "  From  Europe."  Question: 
"Are  you  ordained  by  those  bishops,  and  sent  to  preach  to 
the  Indians?"  Answer:  "Yes."  Question:  "Have  you 
not  got  your  instruction  from  Congress  when  you  went  to 
the  Indians?"  Answer:  "No;  but  from  our  bishops." 
Question:  "Did  Congress  know  about  this,  or  did  you 
have  permission  from  the  same  to  go?"  Answer:  "We 
have  not  been  with,  our  Indians,  without  the  knowledge 
and  permission  of  Congress;  it  has  put  nothing  in  the 
w'ay  of  our  labor  among  the  Indians,  but  also  it  has  pre- 
scribed us  no  rules  and  given  us  no  instructions  in  what 
w^ay  we  should  conduct  ourselves."  He  then  said  he  not 
only  was  not  opposed  to  the  Indians  being  civilized  and 
instructed  in  Christianity,  but  it  was  pleasing  to  him;  in 
this  matter  he  would  not  hinder  us,  nor  interfere  in  relig- 
ious matters,  but  we  should  be  on  our  guard,  and  not  in- 
terfere in  w^ar-matters ;  for,  if  we  did  so,  he  w^ould  be 
forced  to  interfere  in  our  affairs  and  make  us  halt,  for  he 
was  a  soldier;  but  so  long  as  w^e  did  not  interfere  in  his 
affairs,  he  was  unwilling  to  interfere  in  ours;  and  since  he 
now  saw  that  we  had  been  wrongly  accused,  and  things 
were' not  as  they  had  been  represented  to  him,  we  could 
in  God's  name  go  back  to  our  families  and  to  our  Indians, 
as  soon  as  we  pleased ;  he  w^ould  in  our  behalf  write  to 
the  general  in  Quebec,  and  learn  his  disposition  in  regard 
to  us  until  spring. 

Question  :  "  Whether  w^e  would  take  the  oath."  An- 
swer: "No;  it  had  never  been  required  of  us."  "So," 
said  he,  "I  will  not  burden  you  with  it."  This  w^as  also 
interpreted  to  the  captains  and  warriors  who  w^ere  present. 
'We  repeated  also  what  he  had  before  said  to  us,  that  he 
had  sent  out  in  writing  an  order  in  our  behalf  that  w^e 
should  come  nearer  to  him  and  answer  him ;  that  we  had 
never  seen  the  same,  nor  had  it  come  to  our  hands  ;  it 
was  then  needless  to  treat  us  with  such  harshness,  to  plun- 


IN    DETROIT,    1781.  41 

der  us,  and  to  behave  so  ill  towards  us.  He  spoke  also  to 
our  Indians:  that  he  was  pleased  to  see  them,  for  he 
liked  to  see  Indians  who  loved  goodness  and  sought  for 
it ;  they  should  go  back  home  again  with  their  teach- 
ers, obey  them  and  abide  by  that  which  was  preached 
them  and  not  meddle  in  the  war.  He  said  :  "  There  are 
Indians,  Chippewas,  for  instance,  who  may  not  take  part 
in  the  war,  not  from  religious  principles,  but  they  are 
lazy,  and  to  them  I  give  no  gifts,  for  they  could  go  if  they 
would.  They  shall  get  nothing  from  me,  but  to  you,  al- 
though you  do  not  yet  take  part  in  the  war,  will  I  give 
something  from  my  store,  which  you  may  use  for  your  ne- 
cessities [namely,  you  who  are  here],  and  if  hereafter  your 
people  come  to  me  they  shall  be  welcome  and  never  go 
away  empt3^  Thereupon  he  arose,  shook  hands  with 
them  and  the  captains,  and  said  to  us  he  wished  to  speak 
further  with  us.  We  could  now  come  to  him  whenever 
we  would;  that  his  house  was  open  to  us,  and  now  that 
our  innocence  had  come  to  light,  he  would  give  orders 
that  clothing  and  what  besides  we  needed  should  be  given 
us  out  of  the  king's  store,  as  far  as  could  be  done,  for  our- 
selves, our  wives,  and  our  children,  since  we  had  been 
plundered.  Thereupon  he  went  away,  and  we  returned 
home,  happy  and  thankful  that  the  Saviour  had  conducted 
our  affairs  according  to  the  verse  of  Scripture  for  to-day: 
Cast  ye  up,  cast  ye  up,  prepare  the  way,  take  up  the 
stumbling-block  out  of  the  way  of  my  people.  'Tis  thine 
alone  to  change  the  heart — Thou  only  canst  good  gifts 
impart.  Many  English  and  French,  with  whom  we  had 
before  become  acquainted,  rejoiced  with  us  that  our  affairs 
had  come  out  so  well  and  happily.  The  majority  of  the 
inhabitants  here  are  French  ;  therefore  the  usual  language 
is  French,  though'there  are  many  English,  but  of  Germans 
only  very  few. 

Saturdav,  10.  Brothers  David  and  Heckewelder  went 
to  the  governor,  as  he  had  told  us ;  now  he  admitted  us  to 
his  apartment,  a  thing  he  had  not  done  before,  nor  asked 
us  to  sit  down,  as  he  now  did.  He  was  now  quite  differ- 
ent towards  us,  in  every  way  friendly ;  asked  all  sorts  of 


42  zeisberger's  diary. 

questions,  how  we  had  lived  on  the  Muskingum,  what 
kind  of  houses,  or  whether  we  had  had  houses,  and  won- 
dered much  at  hearing  we  had  hved  so  pleasantly  and  reg- 
ularly. He  said  to  us  now,  since  it  was  found  we  were  in- 
nocent, he  wished  in  some  way  to  make  good  the  losses 
we  had  suffered.  Since  now  we  knew  that  a  trader  in  the 
city  had  bought  from  the  Indians  four  of  our  watches,  we 
told  him  so,  and  he  promised  to  get  the  same  for  us  at 
once.  He  summoned  the  trader,  demanded  the  watches, 
and  promised  to  pay  him  again  what  he  had  given  for 
them,  and  gave  them  all  back  to  us.  Then  he  gave  us  an 
order  upon  the  commissary  of  the  king's  store,  who  gave 
us  bhxnkets,  some  clothing,  and  house-utensils,  for  us  and 
our  sisters  at  home;  wherefore  we  were  joyful  and  thank- 
ful, although  our  loss  was  far  from  replaced,  for  we  had 
lost  beds,  clothes,  furniture,  and  ever}'  thing,  and  what  we 
now  got  was  only  to  relieve  our  greatest  necessities,  and 
if  nothing  more  should  be  given  us,  we  could  not  get 
along.  But  now  that  we  were  ready  and  could  go  home 
if  we  wished,  and  we  wanted  to  be  off,  the  sooner  the  bet- 
ter, we  found  that  our  horses,  which  had  been  given  to  a 
Frenchman  to  take  care  of,  had  either  been  stolen  or  had 
run  away,  and  although  our  Indian  brethren  sought  for 
them,  they  could  not  find  them.  We  went,  therefore,  to 
the  commandant  and  complained  before  him  of  our  needs. 
He  indeed  gave  orders  that  the  Frenchman  should  and 
must  get  our  horses  for  us,  but  they  were  not  found.  The 
man  must,  however,  lend  us  other  horses  in  their  stead 
until  ours  were  found,  and  the  commandant  promised  us 
we  should  either  get  our  own  horses  again  or  be.  paid  for 
them,  but  we  have  never  got  them. 

After  we  were  ready  for  our  departure  and  had  been  pro- 
vided Vv^itli  provisions  for  the  way,  for  we  had  ourselves 
not  a  penny  of  money  to  buy  any  thing  with,  except  what 
was  given  us,  we  went  again  to  the  governor,  asked  him 
for  a  pass,  which  he  gave  us,  in  which  he  gave  notice  that 
we  had  permission  to  go  back  to  our  Indians  and  to  remain 
with  them,  in  order  to  instruct  them  in  Christianity;  that 
no  one  should  put  any  thing  in  our  way  or  injure  us.     He 


IN    DETROIT,    1781.  43 

again  repeated,  as  he  had  already  said  in  the  council,  that 
he  had  written  to  the  governor  (in  Quebec)  and  expected 
his  answer  and  advice  about  us  in  the  spring,  and  added 
that  he  then  still  could  do  something  in  our  favor,  since 
he  had  heard  us  and  investigated  our  case.  He  made  us 
many  excuses,  saying  to  us  that  we  must  not  be  too  much 
vexed  with  him,  that  he  had  had  us  removed  from  our  settle- 
ments, for  he  had  seen  himself  compelled  so  to  do,  since 
so  many  complaints  against  us  had  come  to  him,  that,  in 
duty  bound,  he  could  not  have  acted  otherwise,  although  he 
now  saw  that  all  the  accusations  against  us  were  groundless 
and  false.  It  had  also  been  entirely  against  his  orders  to 
plunder  us  and  handle  us  in  such  a  harah  manner,  and  he 
said,  in  conclusion,  that  for  his  part,  he  Avished  peace 
might  soon  be  restored.  But  those  who  were  the 
cause  of  this  war  were  to  be  blamed,  and  were  the 
origin  of  so  much  misfortune,  w^hich  then  the  inno- 
cent must  suffer.  We  also  asked  of  him,  since  now 
we  were  going  back  to  Sandusky,  if  any  future  complaints 
against  us  came  to  him,  not  to  believe  every  thing,  but  to 
be  so  good  as  to  send  us  a  few  words,  and  thus  we  would 
inform  him  at  all  times  about  the  affair,  how  it  was  in  re- 
gard to  truth,  for  among  the  Indians  w^e  had  many 
enemies,  who  were  opposed  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel, 
and  on  this  account  made  up  all  sorts  of  lies  about  us,  and 
spread  them  abroad.  We  thanked  him  for  all  the  kind- 
ness he  had  done  us,  and  showed  him  our  gratitude,  since 
we  very  plainly  saw,  inasmuch  as  every  thing  was  enor- 
mously dear,  that  our  expenses  must  have  run  up  to  at 
least  £100,  and  took  leave  of  him.  Still,  he  said  to  us,  if 
we  had  letters  to  send  to  our  church,  we  should  only  send 
them  to  him;  he  would  then,  at  once,  give  orders  for  them. 
For  the  present,  however,  it  was  too  late,  for  all  the  vessels 
and  ships  for  this  autumn  were  already  gone,  and  until 
spring  no  more  would  depart.  We  then  took  leave  also  of 
Commissioner  Bawbee,  who  was  also  well  disposed  towards 
us,  and  had  shown  us  much  kindness,  and  then  departed 
Nov.  14  with  our  Indian  brethren,  but  since  it  was  late  we 
came  only  a  few  miles  and  encamped  in  the  bush.     The 


44  zeisberger's  diary. 

Scripture-verse  read  :  For  a  small  moment  have  I  forsaken 
thee;  but  with  great  mercies  will  I  gather  thee.  Does  it 
seem  for  a  time  as  if  God  forsook  His  own  ?  Surely  I  know 
and  believe  this:    He  helps  at  last,  yes,  certainly. 

We  came  the  18th  to  the  Tawa  river,  where  we  met 
many  Indian  acquaintances,  who  were  very  joyful  at  our 
return.  We  met  here  also  Alexander  McKee,  agent  of 
Indian  affairs  in  this  department,  who  showed  himself 
friendly  to  us.  But  we  knew  from  trustworth}'  sources 
that  he  had  been  the  head-instrument  of  our  calaniity,  and 
after  our  captivity  had  labored  for  this  that  we  should  be 
separated  from  our  Indians  and  driven  altogether  from  the 
Indian  country.  We  showed  to  him  the  pass  we  had  re- 
ceived in  Detroit.  We  learned  here  how  it  fared  with  our 
people  and  brethren  at  home,  and  were  glad  to  hear  that 
they,  after  Br.  Schebosh,  wnth  five  of  our  brethren,  had 
been  captured  in  Schoiibrunn,  had  remained  in  perfect 
peace,  and  that  no  one  of  them  had  lost  his  life.  We  com- 
plained to  him  of  the  wants  of  ourselves  and  of  our  In- 
dians, that  we  had  nothing  at  all  to  live  on,  nor  could  we' 
see  when  we  could  earn  or  buy  any  thing,  since  among  the 
Indians,  who  themselves  had  nothing,  nothing  could  be  had. 
He  saw  our  need  very  plainly,  but  could  give  us  no  advice. 

The  19th  we  journeyed  on  and  came  upon  Israel,  with  a 
large  body  of  Indians  on  their  w^ay  to  Tawa  river,  where 
McKee  distributed  presents  to  them.  Many  came  and 
greeted  us  in  a  friendly  way.  We  saw  that  many  had  real 
joy  that  we  had  freedom  to  go  back  to  our  people,  for  most 
of  them  had  believed  we  would  remain  in  Detroit  in  prison  ; 
thus  we  found  it  everywhere  among  the  Indians  where  we 
came;  all  were  glad  to  see  us  again,  and  welcomed  us.  If 
we  had  been  held  prisoners,  things  would  not  have  gone 
on  well  among  the  Indians ;  on  our  account  they  would 
have  come  to  blows  among  themselves,  and  the  ringlead- 
ers of  the  whole  affair  would  not  have  come  oflE"  well ;  of 
this  we  had  proof  enough  before  we  went  to  Detroit. 
Pipe  also  was  well  aware  of  this,  and  therefore  did  his  best 
to  be  helpful  for  our  release  from  Detroit.  Now  must  I 
say  something  about  this  whole  stretch  of  land  we  have 


DETROIT   TO    SANDUSKY,    1781.  '  45 

come  through.  The  whole  country  is  so  flat  and  level  that 
no  hill  at  all  is  in  sight,  for  it  has  great  plains,  many  miles 
in  length  and  breadth,  on  which  nothing  grows  except  long 
grass.  These  for  the  most  part  are,  so  to  speak,  flooded 
with  water,  which  circumstance  comes  from  this,  since  it 
is  so  flat  and  level  that  the  water  can  not  run  off',  and  even 
when  it  does  not  rain  for  a  long  time,  it  is  still  full  of  w^ater, 
and  seldom  becomes  dry  land  ;  a  little  rain  can  put  such  a 
plain  under  water,  and  often  our  horses  had  to  wade 
through  water  up  to  the  saddle,  and  at  times  even  swim  ;  in 
short,  it  is  like  land  near  the  sea  shore,  which  is  flooded  and 
never  becomes  dry.  These  plains  are  full  of  crawflsh,  which 
have  their  holes  in  the  ground;  therefore  the  game,  rac- 
coons, foxes,  etc.,  which  are  here  in  large  numbers,  get 
their  food  in  abundance,  live  on  the  crawfish  and  wax  fat. 
No  practicable  road  can  be  kept  there,  for  it  would  soon 
become  a  deep  marsh,  so  that  there  would  be  no  getting 
through,  but  nearly  every  one  makes  a  new  track  through 
the  long  grass,  so  that  at  last  it  becomes  a  broad  road.  The 
woody  land,  on  the  contrary,  is  not  so  much  flooded,  yet  it 
is  wet  and  swampy  and  likewise  full  of  w'ater,  so  that  here, 
too,  little  dry  land  is  to  be  found.  The  land  is  especially 
clayey,  which  is  one  reason  why  the  water  remains  stand- 
ing and  does  not  sink  away.  The  bush  is  either  beech- 
swamp  or  ash,  linden,  elm,  and  other  trees,  such  as  grow 
in  wet  places,  yet  it  has  many  oak  groves,  and  all  around 
Detroit  it  has  white-cedar  swamps.  Here  and  there  also 
are  to  be  found  white  and  black  walnut  trees.  Since  now 
the  country  is  so  flat  the  creeks  rise  at  once  very  high, 
even  from  a  little  rain,  so  that  it  is  hard  to  get  through. 
The  Indians  use  the  whole  district  for  nothing  else  than 
hunting,  and  the  game  is  not  very  plentiful  on  account  of 
the  wet. 

We  came  then  on  the  22d  j^ovember,  happy  and  in  good 
condition,  to  our  brethren  in  Sandusky,  who,  as  w^ell  as  we, 
heartily  rejoiced  together,  and  could  not  thank  the  Saviour 
enough  that  he  had  been  with  us,  had  stood  by  us,  and 
brought  us  back  again,  especially  also  that  he  had  given 
us  good  weather  on  the  journey,  which  had  much  eased 


46  zeisberger's  diary. 

for  us  this  so  difficult  way,  for  in  rainy  weather  in  this 
country  it  is  impossible  to  get  through. 

Many  tears  of  gratitude  and  of  joy  could  be  seen  run- 
ning down  the  cheeks  of  our  brethren,  for  they  had  just 
heard  news  of  us  from  an  Indian  who  came  from  Detroit 
that  Ave,  either  all  of  us,  or  at  least  the  greater  part,  would 
remain  captive;  and  this  story  was  still  told  and  worked 
over  as  we  came  into  town,  and  hence  their  joy  was  so 
much  the  greater,  and  they  were  quite  overcome. 

ISTov.  22.  Returned  the  Brothers  David,  Heckewelder, 
Edwards,  and  Sensemann,  with  the  Indian  brethren  Isaac, 
of  Gnadenhiitten,  Tobias  and  William,  from  Detroit.  At 
the  same  time  also  some  brethren  came  back  from  our  towns 
on  the  Muskingum,  where  they  had  got  corn  from  the 
plantations,  in  which,  however,  they  were  much  hindered 
by  their  fear  of  the  whites,  and  what  they  brought  they 
must,  so  to  say,  almost  have  stolen.  On  every  side  joy 
and  gratitude  over  our  return  were  to  be  seen  on  the  faces 
of  the  brethren,  for  in  our  absence  many  lies  were  put 
abroad  about  us,  which  were  circulated  about  the  town, 
and  when  we  arrived  Avere  even  then  repeated,  that  we 
w'ould  be  kept  in  prison  in  Detroit,  and  be  brought  to 
Quebec,  that  two  of  us  at  least,  namely,  David  and  Hecke- 
welder, would  not  return,  and  that  the  sisters  with  the  two 
brothers,  Jungmann  and  Michael,  would  also  be  carried 
away.  This  was  related  as  the  real  truth  by  a  white,  who 
said  he  had  seen  us  in  Detroit,  spoken  to  us,  and  knew 
how  it  was  with  us.  The  greater  then  was  now  the  joy, 
so  that  many  wept  for  joy,  but  others  were  ashamed.  The 
white  brethren  had  especial  pleasure  in  seeing  one  an- 
other again,  and  v^^e  thanked  the  Saviour  Avho  had 
again  brought  us  together.  We  told  one  another  what 
the  Saviour  had  done  for  us  in  the  time,  as  well  at  home 
as  on  our  journey,  how  he  had  been  with  us  and  con- 
ducted our  affairs  according  to  the  promise  in  the  verse 
of  Scripture  Avhen  we  were  taken  prisoners :  Though 
thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine  anger  is  turned  away,  and 
thou  comfortedst  me;  and  of  the  day  after:  God  will 
come  and  save  you. 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,  1781.  47 

At  home  services  were  held  by  Brothers  Jnngmann 
and  M.  Jung  as  nsnally.  Two  children,  one  Salome's 
and  the  other  Johanna's,  were  born  in  the  time.  Five 
children  and  Sister  Johanette  died  meanwhile,  and  were 
buried. 

24.  McCormick  and  Dawson  arrived,  the  former  from 
the  "Wyandots,  the  other  from  Lower  Sandusky :  they 
were  glad  we  were  again  here,  and  oifered  us  their  serv- 
ices if  we  in  any  way  were  in  need.  We  asked  them,  in- 
asmuch as  they  carried  on  business  with  the  Indians,  to 
buy  corn  for  us,  since  we  had  nothing  to  eat,  and  this  they 
promised  to  do.  Several  brethren  came  back  from  the 
Muskingum  with  corn.  It  is  a  hard,  dangerous,  and  long 
way  on  which  to  bring  corn;  we  saw,  however,  no  better 
and  easier  way  for  us  to  get  any  thing,  for  from  the  Indians 
in  this  neighborhood  little  is  to  be  had,  and  that  little  enor- 
mously dear,  so  that  we  and  our  brethren  are  not  in  cir- 
cumstances to  buy  any  thing. 

25.  During  the  sermon  upon  to-day's  Scripture-verse, 
in  the  open  air,  since  we  have  as  yet  no  chapel,  the  little 
daughter  of  Jonas  and  Amelia,  born  on  the  18th  Inst.,  was 
baptized  with  the  name  Benigna. 

Tuesday,  27.  There  was  a  conference  of  assistants,  they 
were  told,  since  for  the  greater  part  they  were  at  home, 
what  occurred  upon  our  journey  and  in  Detroit,  how  the 
Saviour  had  directed  and  conducted  our  affairs,  that  un- 
impeded we  could  preach  the  gospel,  since  many  of  our 
brethren  had  been  of  little  faith  and  thought  never  to 
see  us  again,  and  had  already  given  us  up,  many  lies 
having  been  told  them  about  us,  that  we  should  be  taken 
to  Montreal.  What  occurred  in  the  council  with  the  In- 
dians in  Detroit  about  us,  and  what  was  concluded,  was 
told  to  all  the  brethren  around  a  great  fire  under  open 
heaven,  since  we  have  neither  chapel  nor  any  other  house 
large  enough  for  this  purpose :  thereby  all  were  very  at- 
tentive, joyful,  and  thankful  for  ail  the  Saviour  had  done 
for  us. 

At  last  they  were  reminded,  and  it  was  given  them  for 
consideration  to  build  a  chapel  or  house  of  the  Lord,  since 


48  zeisberger's  diary. 

now  nearly  all  of  us  had  dwellings.  To  this  all  gave  their 
consent  at  once,  and  went  briskly  to  work,  although  they 
had  little  time  left,  but  must  devote  all  their  time  to  caring 
for  themselves  and  their  families  and  to  getting  the  means 
of  life,  and  thus  have  they  therefore,  as  likewise  we  also, 
lived  only  from  day  to  day,  and  very  often  the  day  before 
have  not  known  what  we  should  eat  the  next,  but  have 
yet  come  through  with  the  Saviour's  help. 

Wednesday,  28.  Fell  a  good  deal  of  snow,  on  which 
account  the  brethren  went  out  to  get  meat  for  use  while 
building.  For  us  the  brethren  collected  corn,  for  we  had 
no  more,  and  each  gave  according  to  his  means,  a  handful 
or  even  somewhat  more.  The  poor  widows  are  the  worst 
off,  who  have  neither  horses  nor  otherwise  opportunity  to 
get  any  thing. 

Thursday,  29.  The  meeting-house  was  blocked  out. 
Several  brethren  went  to  the  neighborino:  towns  to  a^et 
corn,  but  little  can  be  had.  The  want  of  necessaries  of 
life  is  all  the  time  already  great.  What  will  it  yet  be- 
come? For  the  longer  we  are  here  the  greater  will  be  the 
pressing  need. 

Saturday,  Dec.  1.  John  Williams  came  back  from 
Lower  Sandusky,  where  he  has  been  since  we  are  here,  to 
earn  corn,  which  he  got  too.  Br.  Conner  and  his  wife 
are  also  there,  and  will  probably  remain  there  the  whole 
w^iuter,  for  here  there  is  for  them  no  outcome. 

Sunday,  2.  Because  we  have  yet  no  chapel,  we  could 
have  no  service,  the  snow  remaining.  Among  our  breth- 
ren a  rumor  began  that  there  are  some  people  among  us 
who  are  guilty,  and  have  thereby  contributed  that  we  were 
carried  away  captive  and  placed  in  such  misery. 

Tuesday,  4.  Our  chapel  was  roofed.  Since  we  learned 
that  several  wished  to  go  to  the  Fort  (Pitt)  to  look  after 
their  friends,  we  forbade  them,  lest  we  might  have  trouble. 

Friday,  7.  We  laborers,  the  brethren  apart  and  the  sis- 
ters by  themselves,  held  an  opeu-hearted  and  intimate 
conversation  with  one  another.  The  Saviour  gave  us 
grace  and  his  blessing  thereto,  that  we  stood  together  in 
love  and  unity,  one  with  the  other,  and  all  was  accom- 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,    1781.  49 

plishecl,  for  in  this  time  much  that  was  unpleasant  had  oc- 
curred among  us,  and  we  had  thereupon — 

Saturday,  8,  the  blessed  supper  of  our  Lord.  "VVe  held 
to-day  the  first  service  in  our  newly-built  chapel,  which, 
with  prayer  and  entreaty  to  the  Saviour,  was  dedicated, 
that  he  would  be  with  us,  dwell  among  us,  and  go  with 
us,  and  that  he  would  bless  his  sweet  Gospel  also  in  this 
place,  as  well  as  in  our  hearts  and  in  the  hearts  of  all 
those  who  should  hear  it.  See  the  Scripture-verse  of  to-day 
(Is.  xlix.  2). 

Sunday,  9.  Br.  Edwards  preached.  In  the  afternoon 
service  upon  the  text :  The  Lord  shall  comfort  Zion,  and 
he  will  make  her  wilderness  like  Eden,  was  baptized 
with  the  name  Anton  the  little  son  of  Br.  Christian  and 
Sister  Cathrine,  born  the  29th  of  last  month.  Thereupon 
was  a  service  for  all  the  inhabitants  of  our  place,  with 
whom  in  a  very  direct  and  open-hearted  manner  he  dis- 
coursed and  held  before  them  the  shortcomings  which 
many  of  them  had  been  guilty  of  towards  the  Saviour  and 
their  teachers,  and  also  pointed  out  to  them  that  they  had 
put  themselves  in  such  misery  through  their  disobedience 
and  sins  before  the  Saviour. 

Monday,  10.  Heckewelder  held  the  morning  service. 
The  assistant  brethren  spoke  with  Joshua  on  account  of 
his  bad  conduct  and  with  some  others  here.  Then  the 
brethren  resolved  to  send  a  petition  for  corn  to  the  Shaw- 
anese. 

Wednesday,  12.  Sensemann  held  the  early  service.  In 
the  afternoon  was  the  burial  of  the  widow,  Priscilla,  who 
yesterday  departed  in  blessedness.  She  was  baptized  in  Old 
Schonbrunn,  Aug.  20,  1775,  by  Br.  Jungmann,  and  there 
also  came  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  Lord's  supper,  Feb.  15, 
1777,  and  led  a  godly  life,  so  that  there  was  hearty  re- 
joicing over  the  grace  the  Saviour  showed  in  her.  In  the 
autumn  of  1778,  however,  she  was  led  by  her  friends  through 
fear  to  leave  the  church,  and  she  remained  away  a  whole 
winter.  But  it  was  too  hard  for  her.  She  had  no  peace 
and  a  discontented  life,  on  which  account  she  again  asked 
4 


50  zeisberger's  diary. 

for  forgiveness  and  begged  again  for  reception,  which  she 
received  also,  and  came  again  to  the  enjoyment  of  the 
Lord's  supper,  since  which  time  she  knew  better  how  to 
value  the  church  and  the  grace  which  the  Saviour  had 
shown  her  in  the  church;  passed  her  time  contentedly  and 
in  intercourse  with  the  Saviour.  She  let  herself  be  moved 
by  nothing  further  nor  induced  to  leave  the  church 
during  all  the  unrest  of  the  war  and  all  the  hardship  and 
affliction  which  we  had  to  endure.  Thus  she  came  with 
us  here  to  Sandusky,  where  she  had  to  live  through  a 
most  grievous  time,  whereby  her  heart,  however,  blessed 
in  the  Saviour,  was  undisturbed.  At  last  she  became  ill, 
and  the  Saviour  wished  to  take  her  away  from  all  want 
and  trouble.  She  longed  for  this  too,  and  so  departed 
with  the  blessing  of  the  church. 

Thursday,  13.  Br.  Michael  Jung  held  the  early  serv- 
ice. Afterwards ,  he  and  Br.  Heckewelder  went  to  the 
Wyandot  town  to  the  trader,  Mr.  McCormick,  to  get  the 
corn  he  had  bought  for  us ;  they  came  back  the  14th. 

Saturday,  15.  The  brothers,  Samuel  Kanticoke,  Isaac 
and  John  Martin,  went  away  to  the  Shawanese  with  a  pe- 
tition to  ask  them  for  aid  and  to  help  us  with  some  corn, 
as  we  had  likewise  helped  them  in  Lichtenau  when  they 
were  equally  in  need. 

Sunday,  16.  John  preached  and  Br.  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting  over  the  Scripture-verse. 

Tuesday,  18.  Two  whites  came  to  visit  us,  Mr.  Mc- 
Cormick, from  the  nearest  Wyandot  town,  and  Mr.  Rob- 
inson, from  Lower  Sandusky.  The  former  told  us  that  he 
had  again  bought  some  corn  for  us,  and  both  promised  to 
come  and  help  us,  that  we  might  not  suffer  from  want, 
while  we  thankfully  acknowledge  and  praise  the  care  of 
our  Heavenly  Father  and  glorify  him  therefor,  for  the 
whole  time  since  our  coming  here  we  have  been  able  to  see 
no  outcome,  how  we  should  get  through,*and  we  have  lived 
from  day  to  day  from  grace  upon  what  our  brethren  have 
given  us  from  their  own  poverty,  for  they  themselves  had 
nothing. 

Wednesday,  19.     Abrahani  went  to  visit  a  sick  woman, 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,    1781.  51 

Ann  Charity's  mother,  who  is  sick  ancV  had  asked  for  a 
visit  from  the  brethren.  The  two  white  men  returned 
home.  They  are  troubled  about  us,  and  it  presses  hard 
upon  them  that  we  may  suffer  no  want,  and  therefore  they 
seek  to  help  us  as  far  as  it  is  in  their  power.  A  couple  of 
Indians,  Weschnat  and  another,  came  to  report  about  Josy 
and  Abraham,  who  had  secretly  gone  to  the  Fort,  how  it 
was  with  them.  They  went  away  without  saying  any  thing 
to  us,  though  we  had  warned  them  and  forbidden  them  to 
go,  but  they  wanted  much  to  know  whether  their  friends 
are  in  life,  who  were  taken  prisoners,  and  how  they  are. 

Thursday,  20.  Heckewelder  held  the  morning  service 
over  the  Scripture-verse  :  Rejoice  ye  with  Jerusalem,  and 
be  glad  with  her,  etc.  When  now  it  had  been  cold  weather 
more  than  three  Avecks,  and  most  days  had  snowed,  rainy 
weather  came  on,  so  that  the  snow  quite  went  off,  which 
happened  very  luckily  for  our  beasts,  for  they  had  to  get 
their  food  in  the  woods,  and  if  it  should  be  a  hard  winter, 
must  still  go  out,  especially  our  cattle. 

Friday,  21.  Br.  Michael  held  morning  service.  Abra- 
ham, who  went  to  visit  a  sick  woman  in  the  Wyandot 
town,  but  found  her  no  longer  alive,  came  back.  Several 
brothers  came  home  from  hunting. 

Sunday,  23.  Br.  David  preached  upon  the  Epistle  :  Re- 
joice in  the  Lord  alway,  about  the  joy  of  the  children  of 
God  in  the  Saviour's  incarnation,  sufferings,  and  death. 
Sensemann  held  the  children's  service  and  Edwards  the 
congregation  meeting  over  the  Scripture-verse.  The  broth- 
ers Samuel,  John  Martin,  and  Isaac,  came  back  from  the 
Shawanese,  where  they  had  good  success,  and  their  peti- 
tion was  very  well  received.  They  had  then  forthwith, 
for  one  hundred  string,  brought  together  corn  for  our 
town,  and  promised  them,  so  soon  as  their  people  should  be 
at  home,  for  only  a  few  men  were  there,  since  they  were  all 
off  hunting  or  otherwise  scattered,  that  they  would  collect  it 
all  and  then  send  us  word  to  come  and  get  it.  The  chief, 
who  was  at  home,  received  them  in  a  very  friendly  way, 
and  said  to  them  they  had  long  waited  for  us  to  ask  them 
for  help,  and  if  we  had  not  done  it  they  would  yet  have 


1 


NDIVJWVHO-VNVflMn  IV 

AMvaan  sioNini 


52  zeisberger's  diary. 

thought  of  ns  and  helped  us,  but  that  it  was  so  much 
the  more  agreeable  to  them  that  we  had  come  to  them. 
They  well  knew  that  neither  we  nor  our  laziness  was  the 
cause  of  our  coming  to  such  want ;  they  also  were  not 
the  cause  of  it,  but  we  were  torn  away  from  our  towns  by 
force  where  we  had  the  means  of  life  in  overabundance, 
therefore  were  they  willing  to  help  us.  [The  Mingoes  who 
live  there  said  the  same.]  They  pitied  us  much  for  our 
losses  and  for  what  we  had  endured,  and  now,  especially, 
that  we  lived  near  the  Wyandots  in  such  a  wretched  dis- 
trict of  land,  which  was  quite  unsuitable  for  us,  that  we 
could  not  plant  enough  for  ourselves,  as  we  had  been  used 
to  do ;  they  said  we  could  seek  out  a  better  place  which  no 
one  could  prevent;  they  looked  only  to  our  good,  and  if 
they  should  see  that  we  supported  ourselves  and  wished  to 
move  to  a  better  place,  they  wished  to  come  to  our  aid  at 
once  with  as  many  horses  as  they  could  get  together.  It 
troubled  them,  as  it  did  also  the  Delawares  in  the  same 
neighborhood,  that  Pipe  herewith  grew  and  boasted  that 
he  had  taken  prisoners  the  believing  Indians  and  their 
teachers,  and  they  were  therefore  his  prisoners  and  slaves, 
and  they  say,  "Are  not  the  believing  Indians  his  friends? 
It  was  a  shame  to  regard  his  own  friends  as  slaves."  The 
chief  and  some  others  who  were  at  home  talked  almost  all 
night  with  the  brethren,  and  asked  them,  among  other 
things,  this  also,  where  their  teachers  and  ministers  came 
from  and  got  here,  for  all  white  people,  English,  French, 
Spanish,  and  so  many  as  they  had  seen,  had  their  ministers 
and  their  worship  of  God,  but  they  all  went  to  war,  but 
we  not.  The  brethren  answered  :  They  were  originally 
from  over  the  sea,  and  finally  came  to  us  and  brought  us 
the  word  of  God,  and  we  have  received  it,  since  we  found 
and  felt  in  our  hearts  that  it  is  truth,  eternal  life,  and  glory ; 
among  all  white  people  there  are  indeed  ministers,  all  have 
their  worship  of  God,  have  the  Scriptures,  and  can  read 
them,  but  since  they  are  unbelievers,  they  become  no  better 
therefrom  ;  they  are  thus  unbelievers,  as  are  the  Indians, 
and  so  no  better.     The  chief  bade  them  greet  us,  their 


UPPER   SANDUSKY,    1781.  53 

teachers,  and  said  he  would  like  to  see  us,  perhaps  he 
would  come  sometime  to  visit  us. 

This  aftenioou  the  Half-King  came  witli  his  interpreter, 
partly  on  business,  partly  for  a  visit.  The  brethren  took 
occasion  to  speak  with  him  about  the  two  who  had  gone 
to  the  Fort,  of  whom  we  have  already  heard  so  much  from 
other  places,  and  told  him  as  much  as  we  knew  about  them. 
But  we  soon  heard  that  he  had  more  news  of  them  than 
we,  for  they  sent  word  to  him  by  Indians,  and  let  him 
know  what  they  intended,  so  that  it  can  cause  us  no  prej- 
udice or  harm. 

Monday,  24.  We  begin  Christmas  week  with  praise  and 
thanks  that  God,  our  Creator,  himself  became  man,  and 
that  we,  through  him,  have  peace  with  God,  since  he  has 
blotted  out  our  sins  through  his  blood.  We  asked  him 
also  forgiveness  of  all  our  transgressions,  not  to  be  mind- 
ful of  them,  and  to  be  merciful  to  us,  again  to  bless  us,  to 
be  with  us  in  this  place,  and  to  recognize  us  as  his  peculiar 
people,  and  to  send  us  his  peace,  which  he  also  did,  and 
we  had  comfort  and  assurance  therefrom.  Love-feasts 
we  could  not  have,  for  we  were  too  poor  and  could  not 
afford  so  much.  The  history  was  read,  and  over  the  Scrip- 
ture-text was  a  discourse.     The  chapel  was  quite  filled. 

Tuesdav,  25.  The  morning  sermon  bv  Br.  Hecke- 
welder,  the  children's  service  by  David.  These  rejoiced, 
and  sang:  The  Infant  Jesus  in  his  manger  lies,  right  pret- 
tily, and  all  who  were  present  let  tears  of  joy  run  down 
their  cheeks.  Br.  Jungmann  held  the  congregation  meet- 
ing over  the  Scripture-verse.  The  brethren  encouraged  one 
another,  and  rejoiced  together  in  God,  our  Saviour,  who  in 
all  circumstances  had  shown  himself  gracious  to  them,  and 
filled  their  hearts  with  comfort  and  joy. 

Wednesday,  26.  Br.  Edwards  held  early  service  ;  there- 
upon we  had  a  conference  with  the  assistants.  A  woman, 
a  widow,  obtained,  upon  her  request  and  prayer,  permis- 
sion to  dwell  with  the  church.  Nicodemus,  who  in  the 
spring,  from  fear,  allowed  himself  to  be  moved  and  went 
from  the  church,  and  now  came  again,  was  likewise  re- 
ceived.    Israel  was  told  we  could  not  yet  allow  him  to  be 


54  zeisberger's  diary. 

in  the  church.  It  was  told  to  the  church  that  we  could 
not  suffer  Jacob's  family  to  be  in  the  church,  seeing  the 
manner  they  had  conducted  themselves  in  (J-nadenhiitten 
and  up  to  the  present  time,  on  account  of  the  children,  aud 
other  reasons  too.  At  last  also  N'athaniel  and  A.  Salome 
were  earnestly  spoken  with  about  their  daughter,  and  they 
were  advised  what  they  had  to  do. 

Friday,  28.  There  was  a  conference  with  the  assistants 
about  maintaining  order  among  the  people  and  putting 
disorder  out  of  the  way.  Many  of  our  brethren  suffer 
hunger,  and  as  no  corn  can  be  had,  they  must  subsist  upon 
wild  potatoes  (Ipomoea  Pandurata),  which  they  have  to  dig 
up  laboriously  and  bring  from  a  distance. 

Saturday,  29.  Since  the  creek  is  so  high  from  rains  that 
it  can  not  be  crossed  the  brethren  made  two  canoes. 
•  Sunday,  30.  Br,  David  preached  about  the  foundation 
and  corner-stone,  Jesus  Christ,  whereon  his  church  and 
each  member  thereof  is  built.  In  the  afternoon  was  a  con- 
ference of  assistants,  who  spoke  with  Gideon  about  his  con- 
duct and  unrighteous  behavior  in  Gnadenhiitten  with  the 
warriors,  for  which  he  defended  himself.  Br.  Edwards 
conducted  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  31.  Jungmann  held  the  morning  service,  and 
exhorted  the  brethren  for  Jesus'  sake  to  bury  every  thing 
in  his  death,  and  to  take  nothing  over  into  the  new 
year.  In  the  afternoon  was  the  burial  of  Br.  Nathaniel, 
who  died  yesterday  in  blessedness.  He  was  baptized  in 
Bethlehem,  Aug.  30,  1749,  by  Br.  I^athaniel  Seidel,^  and 
Jul}^  8,  1775,  in  Gnadenhiitten,  on  the  Muskingum,  was 
admitted  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  Lord's  supper.  He  re- 
mained steadfast  by  the  Saviour  whom  he  loved  and  by 
the  church,  and  had  a  lovely  and  blessed  intercourse  with 

^  He  was  born  in  Saxony,  in  1718,  in  Laubau,  a  shorL  distance  from 
Herrnhut.  He  came  to  America  in  1742,  where  he  labored  in  various 
stations  until  1750,  when,  in  company  with  Zeisberger,  he  returned  to 
Europe  for  a  visit.  He  came  back  the  next  year.  As  "  Elder  of  the 
Pilgrims"  his  visits  extended  as  far  as  Surinam.  He  was  made 
bishop  in  1758,  and  died  in  1782,  overwhelmed  with  sorrow  at  the  news 
of  the  massacre  of  the  believing  Indians  at  Gnadenhiitten.  De  Schwei- 
nitz',  Some  of  the  Fathers  of  the  Am.  Mor.  Church. 


UPPER   SANDUSKY,    1781.  55 

the  Saviour.  By  nature  he  was  somewhat  simple,  but  if 
he  spoke  with  his  laborers  from  his  heart,  it  could  be  seen 
that  he  well  knew  what  he  wanted,  and  what  he  had  from 
the  Saviour,  for  this  he  had  understanding  enough,  and  he 
was  not  wanting  to  him,  but  for  other  matters,  especially 
bad  things,  he  was  indiscreet,  yet  it  was  never  observed 
that  he  frequented  and  gave  himself  up  to  bad  company. 
That  his  mother,  who  died  in  peace  in  Lichtenau,  told 
him,  shortly  before  her  death,  he  should  abide  by  the 
Saviour  and  the  church  his  life  long,  that  forgot  he  not, 
and  he  repeated  it  often.  The  occasion  of  his  death  was  a 
broken  leg,  and  thereupon  gangrene,  so  that  in  a  few 
days  he  departed  with  the  blessing  of  the  church.  He  was 
forty-two  years  old.  To-day  was  the  conference  of  assist- 
ants :  they  investigated  the  old  matters  about  the  children 
of  Jacob  and  Philippa. 

At  the  usual  time  we  assembled  at  the  end  of  the  3"ear, 
thanked  the  Saviour  for  all  the  mercy  and  kindness  he 
had  shown  us,  but  confessed  to  him  also  our  faults  and 
shortcomings,  and  begged  the  forgiveness  of  all  our  trans- 
gressions and  the  consolation  of  his  grace,  to  be  merciful 
to  us,  and  to  acknowledge  himself  to  us  as  our  Helper  and 
Saviour. 


56  zeisberger's  diary. 


CHAPTER  II. 

1782. 

Upper   Sandusky — Missionaries    Called    to    Detroit — Settlement    on 

Clinton  River,  Michigan. 

Tuesday,  Jan.  1.  Br.  Edwards  preached  from  the  Gos- 
pel ahout  Jesus'  name,  who  is  our  Saviour  and  Redeemer. 
The  baptized  brethren  renewed  their  covenant  with  him, 
to  be  and  to  remain  his  own.  They  were  exhorted  to  give 
their  hearts  entirely  to  him  ;  to  desire  nothing  in  the  world 
except  to  live  for  him.  Sensemann  held  the  congregation 
meeting  from  the  Scripture- verse  :  I  will  not  contend  for- 
ever, neither  will  I  be  always  wroth.  Meekness,  humility, 
and  love — Throuo^h  all  thv  conduct  shine.     We  took  the 

CD  •/ 

texts  from  last  year  for  use,  since  we  have  now  indeed  no 
hope  left  of  getting  any.  In  regard  to  other  matters, 
we  had  to  hear  from  without  many  bad  and  unplesant 
stories  over  the  fact  that  two  of  our  Indians  had  secretly 
gone  to  the  Fort,  without  our  knowledge,  on  which  ac- 
count many  lies  were  spread  around  that  we  had  sent  let- 
ters by  them,  and  they  said  we  should  again  be  made  pris- 
oners and  altogether  brought  away  from  the  Indians. 
Satan  rages  and  it  is  as  if  we  were  given  over  to  devils  to 
plague  us  utterly,  to  torment  us  and  to  make  trial  of  for- 
tune with  us,  while  we  are  here,  more  than  ever  before, 
not  only  from  without,  but  also  from  within.  For  in  the 
church  there  were  people  who  upheld  them  in  their  false 
dispositions  and  applauded  them,  who  wished  to  establish 
by  force  that  wicked  life  of  his  and  heathenism.  If  we 
oppose  them  they  become  angry  and  set  on  the  wild  Indians 
against  us,  wish  to  stop  our  mouths,  bearing  witness  there- 
against,  and  to  bind  our  hands,  so  that  we  may  do  noth- 
ing to  dispense  the  powers  of  darkness  and  root  them  out 
from  among  us.  But  we  did  not  let  ourselves  be  turned 
aside,  but  courageously  bore  witness  against  them.  Such 
a  change  has  now  come  in  the  Indian  church  that  the  bad, 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,    1782.  57 

wicked  people  can  not  be  cast  out,  but  they  wish  to  be 
there  and  to  cause  harm  in  the  church,  for  they  in  the 
wild  towns  have  occasion  enough  therefor  and  no  one 
would  say  any  thing  to  them  about  their  sinful  life.  If 
we  discipline  them,  therefore,  or  only  say  it  were  better  if 
they  remained  away  from  us,  they  go  into  the  towns  and 
accuse  us  of  sending  people  away,  urge  on  the  savages 
against  us,  who  then  tell  them  the}''  should  not  regard  us, 
that  we  are  prisoners,  and  that  it  is  their  business  to  com- 
mand us. 

We  are  not,  however,  cast  down  nor  disheartened,  but 
oppose  with  might  and  with  all  our  strength,  to  destroy  and 
cast  out  of  the  church  the  works  of  Satan. 

Wednesday,  2.  There  was  a  conference  of  assistants, 
Br.  Michael  Jung  held  the  early  service,  llainy  weather 
came  on,  and  the  snow  melted,  which  is  a  mercy  for  our 
cattle.  On  the  other  hand,  the  brethren  had  their  houses 
full  of  water,  as  is  the  case  hereabouts  in  thawing  weather 
usually. 

Thursda}^,  3.  John  held  early  service.  The  brothers, 
Mark,  "William,  and  Christian,  went  in  the  name  of 
the  conference  to  Pipe,  some  ten  miles  from  here,  to 
speak  with  him  and  his  chiefs  about  the  evil  reports  cir- 
culated concerning  ns,  and  to  get  information  about  them. 
They  came  back  on  the  4th  and  had  good  success;  they 
were  well  received  by  Capt.  Pipe,  who  told  them  he  had 
indeed  heard  many  chance  rumors,  but  had  not  troubled 
himself  about  them.  That  ten  of  our  people  had  gone  to 
the  Fort,  even  that  they  had  stolen  away,  he  could  not 
take  ill,  for  he  well  knew  how  it  was  among  Indians — 
if  one  of  them  had  his  father  and  sister  carried  away  cap- 
tive, he  ventured  his  life  merely  to  find  out  whether  they 
were  alive  or  dead,  and  how  it  was  with  them ;  there  were 
ill-disposed  persons  among  the  Indians,  who  had  pleasure 
in  spreading  abroad  lies  about  us ;  but  we  should  not  be 
troubled  about  it,  they  did  no  better  with  him  and  told  lies 
about  him  ;  it  should  remain  fast,  he  would  remain  fast, 
we  should  remain  fast  by  what  had  been  fixed  and  con- 
cluded  about  us  in  Detroit.      Thereupon  he   told  them 


58  zeisberger's  diary. 

what  had  happened  in  Detroit  in  regard  to  us  after  our  own 
departure.  There  came  in  some  Delaware  captains  while 
Pipe  was  still  there ;  they  held  a  council  with  the  governor, 
and  said  to  him  :  "  We  have  removed  the  believing  Indians 
with  their  teachers  at  your  command  from  their  abode, 
and  have  brought  them  to  thee  in  the  hope  that  thou 
wouldst  again  send  them  home  whence  they  came  here. 
We  thought  that  had  ceased,  and  that  from  this  time  on 
there  would  be  no  ministers  among  the  Indians.  To  our 
great  wonder  and  astonishment,  however,  hast  thou  set 
them  free  and  sent  them  back  to  their  Indians.  Surely, 
thou  knowest  not  how  injurious  they  are  to  us,  for  theirs  is 
the  guilt  that  so  man}'  of  our  friends  perished  at  Goschach- 
glink  ;^  they  have  always  made  our  friends  there  feel  secure 
by  saying  to  them  they  had  nothing  to  fear  from  the  Vir- 
ginians, until  they  were  suddenly  attacked.  The  ministers 
have  always  written  letters  to  them  and  given  them  infor- 
mation when  our  warriors  have  gone  to  their  settlements, 
by  which  means  many  are  come  to  overthrow  and  harm, 
and  have  lost  their  lives  through  their  betrayal."  The 
governor  answered  them  that  only  a  few  days  before,  in 
the  presence  of  the  chiefs  and  warriors,  he  had  investigated 
the  matter  and  the  charges  brought  against  the  ministers, 
but  he  had  found  them  innocent,  and  that  all  the  charges 
against  them  were  groundless;  what  he  had  thus  arranged 
and  concluded  with  Capt.  Pipe  should  remain  until  he  had 
well-founded  reasons  for  calling  us  away.  He  said  further, 
why  then  did  they  now  first  bring  these  charges  against 
us;  already  a  long  time  had  gone  by,  why  had  they  not 
done  it  at  once  ?  After  this  he  should  receive  no  further 
complaints,  but  would  abide  by  what  he  had  agreed  with 
Pipe  in  the  council.  After  this,  the  captains  could  say 
nothing  further.  Thus  it  goes  among  the  heathen  when 
they  get  a  little  power  over  us.  We  have  many  foes,  but 
still  also  many  always  who  are  our  friends,  yet  often  meet 
those  who  are  not  well-disposed  to  us,  and  who  are  opposed 


^Where  Col.  Broadhead,  the  April  preceding,  had  killed  fifteen  war- 
riors and  taken  twenty  captives. 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,    1782.  59 

to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  fight  for  us  and  do  us  good 
service,  as  now  Pipe,  although  they  have  always  their  own 
object  in  view,  and  this  will  not  cease.  McCormick  visited 
us  to-day  and  went  back  again.  We  heard  that  our  things 
are  come  to  the  lake. 

Thursday,  3.     Nicholas  and  Job.  Sahina's  child  born.  • 

Saturday,  5.  The  assistants  had  a  labor-day  with  young 
married  people  to  reconcile  them.  We  laborers  had  a 
conference  about  our  staying  here,  and  found  it  best  not 
to  waste  our  time  in  moving  about,  but  to  remain  here. 

Sunday,  6.  We  celebrated  Epiphany.  The  Saviour  of 
the  heathen  allowed  himself  to  be  felt  comfortingly  among 
us,  acknowledged  himself  to  us  in  all  our  services, 
blessed  us,  and  let  us  feel  his  peace.  An  adult  was  bap- 
tized with  the  name  Phoebe,  and  a  child,  the  little  son  of 
Nicholas  and  Job.  Sabina,  born  on  the  3d  Inst.,  with  the 
name  Timothy,  and  two  sisters,  Rebecca  and  Juliana,  were 
absolved  and  prepared  for  return  to  Gnadenhiitten,  where 
they  remain. 

Monday,  7.  After  the  early  service,  which  Br.  Edwards 
held,  we  spoke  with  the  assistant  brethren  about  getting 
corn  from  our  towns  from  the  plantations,  and  exhorted 
them  to  neglect  nothing,  since  now  was  the  best  time  and 
the  least  danger  to  fear  from  white  people.  Likewise  we 
told  them  oar  opinion  in  regard  to  our  dwelling  here  ;  that 
we  held  it  best  to  stay  here,  not  to  waste  our  time  in  mov- 
ing about,  whereby  we  might  still  incur  the  extremest 
need  and  poverty,  since  we  well  saw  we  should  not  better 
our  circumstances,  but  make  them  worse,  if  we  went  far 
away  from  here,  for  thus  we  should  again  have  the  war- 
riors constantly  in  our  town,  which  here,  however,  we  had 
not  so  much  to  fear.  Moreover  and  besides,  we  could  draw 
upon  ourselves  the  discontent  and  dissatisfaction  of  the 
chiefs  if  we  went  away,  who  would  then  leave  us  in  the 
lurch  if  we  had  any  thing  to  complain  of,  since  now  in- 
deed they  were  our  friends.  Thus  here  we  should  have  to 
bear  one  thing  patiently,  and  to  seek  out  the  nearest,  best 
place  for  planting,  and  our  greatest  care  and  labor  would 
be  to  get  the  necessities  of  life.     This  was  also  in  accord- 


60  zeisberger's  diary. 

ance  with  the  hearts  of  the  brethren,  to  cause  us  no  un- 
necessary hxbor  and  uneasiness,  but  to  enjoy  quiet  as  far 
as  possible. 

Tuesday,  8.  Sensemann  held  morning  service.  Israel, 
who  came  here  a  short  time  ago  and  asked  to  be  takeu 
back,  but  received  no  permission  to  live  here,  repeated  his 
wish,  and  gave  us  to  understand  that  he  had  not  acted 
with  a  view  for  the  salvation  of  his  soul,  but  that  he  had 
acted  with  other  objects  in  wishing  to  be  in  the  church, 
and  he  confessed  that  he  had  not  known  his  heart,  but 
thought  he  had  indeed  done  nothing  wrong  when  he  left 
the  church  ;  that  he  had  done  no  sin,  and  that  it  was  not 
so  bad  with  him  ;  but  this  he  now  saw,  and  found  quite 
otherwise  ;  that  he  was  a  sinful  man,  who  had  no  Saviour, 
but  he  would  indeed  like  to  be  blessed,  to  turn  again  to 
the  Saviour  and  to  the  church,  and  to  remain  with  them 
his  lifelong. 

Wednesdav,  9.  Brother  Michael  held  earlv  service. 
We  went  out  to-day  to  inspect  a  little  the  neighborhood 
and  the  land  on  the  creek,  and  where  towards  spring  we 
could  make  our  fields,  and  indeed  found  places  where  there 
was  good  fine  land,  but  it  was  somewhat  too  wild  and 
much  overgrown  with  wood.  We  heard  that  a  whole 
party  of  Goschachgiink  Indians,  who  the  year  before  had 
fled  from  there  and  had  lived  thus  far  with  the  Shawanese, 
wished  to  move  near  us  ;  but  they  had  nothing  to  eat,  and 
already  there  was  constantly  famine  with  them,  on  which 
account  they  also  went  to  our  towns  and  wished  to  get 
corn  from  the  fields,  as  we  hear. 

Thursday  10.  Jungmann  held  the  early  service.  N^early 
all  the  brethren  went  out  to  dig  wild  potatoes,  on  which, 
for  the  most  part,  they  now  live,  especially  those  who  are 
not  able  to  buy  or  earn  any  thing,  and  among  the  savages 
corn  costs  already  from  three  to  four  dollars,  and  daily 
becomes  dearer,  yes,  many  have  already  had  to  give  eight 
and  more.  We  have  sold  some  of  our  cattle  to  a  trader 
for  corn,  and  on  this  we  thought  to  live  for  a  while,  and 
yet  it  was  little  to  get.     Sara  N^anticoke  was  brought  to 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,    1728.  61 

bed  with  a  son  :  likewise  in  the  night  Anna  Paulina  with 
a  dead  daughter. 

Friday,  11.  David  held  early  service.  John  went  to 
McCormick  to  got  corn  for  us,  and  came  back  home  in  the 
evening. 

Sunday,  13.  In  the  sermon  it  was  especially  urged  upon 
the  boys  and  young  people  to  ask  more  obedient  hearts 
from  the  Saviour,  who  had  been  a  boy  and  learned  obedi- 
ence. In  tbe  next  service  the  little  daughter  of  Zachary 
and  A.  Elizabeth,  born  on  the  8th  Inst.,  was  baptized  with 
the  name  Dorothy,  and  in  the  service  for  the  baptized. 
Sister  Johanna  Sabiua  was  absolved.  Thus  the  Saviour 
and  the  Holy  Ghost  bring  the  erring  back  again,  one  after 
the  other,  and  into  the  right  fold. 

Wednesday,  16.  Many  of  the  brethern  went  to  the 
Shawanese  towns  to  seek  for  corn,  for  here  in  this  neigh- 
borhood no  more  is  to  be  had,  and  what  there  is,  is  enor- 
mously dear,  and  so  some  went  also  to  the  Muskingum  to 
harvest  yet  something  from  our  plantations.  Br.  Jung- 
mann,  with  Brs.  Michael,  John,  William,  and  Adam  went 
to  Lower  Sandusky  to  get  some  provisions,  which  had  come 
for  us  by  water  from  Detroit. 

Thursday,  17.  Heckewelder  held  early  service.  We 
heard  that  warriors  had  again  gone  out  to  our  towns. 

Saturday,  19.  To-day  and  yesterday  yet  more  brethren 
have  gone,  partly  to  the  Shawanese,  and  partly  to  the 
Muskinffum,  to  set  corn.  To  the  Shawanese  it  is  a  good 
day's  journey,  to  the  Muskingum  iive  or  six.  Two  of  our 
brethren  would  cheerfully  have  gone  with  them  there,  to 
get  corn  for  ourselves,  but  we  dared  not  venture  it,  for  we 
had  no  permission. 

Sunday,  20.  During  the  sermon  the  little  son  of  Br. 
Samuel  Xanticoke  and  his  wife  Sara,  born  on  the  10th  Inst., 
was  baptized  with  the  name  Jeremy.  Our  brethren  are 
almost  all  scattered,  partly  to  the  Muskingum,  partly  to 
the  Shawanese,  to  get  the  means  of  life.  Our  need  grows 
greater  daily.  Our  brethren  become  disheartened  and 
listless,  and  have  no  hope  of  rescue,  for  always  it  gets 
worse  and  worse,  this  we  can  see  before  our  eyes.     Our 


62  zeisberger's  diary. 

Saviour  and  our  clear  heavenly  Father  must  know  better 
than  we  how  to  bring  us  through,  and  how  to  devise.  It 
is  a  great  comfort  to  us  that  we  have  no  reproach,  and 
have  given  no  occasion  for  tlie  famine  in  which  we  are 
found,  for  although  many  brethren  said  to  us,  when  we  were 
still  on  the  Muskingum,  that  we  should  at  once  promise 
the  warriors  to  break  up  and  go  with  them,  and  were  dis- 
contented with  us  that  we  did  not  at  once  give  our  con- 
sent,  yet  we  could  not  do  that,  for  we  foresaw  all  that 
which  now  meets  us,  but  we  preferred  to  be  taken  cap- 
tive. We  said  to  them  even  then  that  we  were  not  so  very 
much  troubled  about  ourselves  where  we  should  get  the 
means  of  life,  as  about  them ;  for  we  should  first  be  helped 
but  not  they,  and  therefore  we  were  much  more  troubled 
for  them  than  for  ourselves.  Those,  now,  who  so  much 
wished  themselves  here,  and  entertained  so  sweet  antici- 
pation of  what  great  advantages  they  would  have  here, 
that  they  would  have  cattle  and  could  sell  milk  and  butter 
at  a  high  price,  these  find  themselves  deceived,  their  cattle, 
one  after  the  other,  die  off,  so  that  there  is  no  hope  of 
their  bringing  any  through  the  winter.  They  begin  now 
to  see  that  they  have  desired  'and  worked  for  their 
misery  and  ruin.  In  this  we  pity  the  upright  and  good 
hearts  who  mean  well,  and  are  sorry  that  the  innocent 
must  suffer  with  the  guilty. 

Monday,  21.  Heckewelder  held  the  early  service  from 
the  text :  Fear  not,  for  thou  shalt  not  be  ashamed,  about 
the  consolation  and  foresight  of  a  child  of  God  who  recog- 
nizes the  Saviour  as  his  Redeemer.  Again  many  of  the 
brethren  went  to  the  Shawanese  town  for  corn. 

Tuesday,  22.  Er.  Edwards  held  early  service.  It  snowed 
hard,  and  we  were  troubled  about  the  brethren  getting 
through,  who  had  gone  to  Lower  Sandusky,  for  we  know 
it  is  a  bad  road,  for  in  this  country  there  is  no  good  road 
to  be  found,  mere  marsh  and  water ;  therefore  when  it  is 
frozen  it  is  easiest  to  get  over. 

Wednesday,  23.  David  held  early  service.  We  heard 
that  the  Delawares  in  this  neighborhood  held  their  war- 
dance  in  the  Delaware  towns,  and  again  go  to  war  in  good 


UPPEB    SANDUSKY,    1782.  63 

numbers.  A  wicked  Indian,  who  was  our  enemy,  and  did 
us  much  harm,  has  filled  his  measure,  has  gone  from  time, 
and  is  gathered  to  his  fathers.  McCormick,  who  is  much 
concerned  about  our  welfare  and  seeks  to  help  us,  came 
here  to  visit  us,  and  remained  over  night.  Our  cattle  gen- 
erally suffer  the  greatest  want,  many  die,  and  it  appears 
that  few  will  live  through  the  winter,  so  our  need  increases 
everywhere. 

Thursday,  24.  Brothers  Jungmann  and  Michael  returned 
from  Lower  Sandusky  with  eome  provisions,  which  we  had 
ordered  brought  there  from  Detroit  by  water  when  we  were 
there,  and  which  the  commandanthad  given.  To  Lower  San- 
dusky sloops  and  vessels  came  up  the  river  eighteen  miles 
from  the  lake.  With  them  came  also  a  white  man,  Mr. 
Robinson,  who  visited  us,  and  the  next  day  went  back 
again , 

Saturday,  26.  We  made  the  beginning  and  preparations 
for  sugar-making  a  good  rifle-shot  from  town,  over  the 
creek.     Sybilla  bore  a  daughter. 

Sunday,  27.  Michael  preached  from  the  gospel  about 
the  cure  which  the  Saviour  through  his  blood  makes  on 
poor,  lost  sinners,  and  that  he  blesses  them. 

Tuesday,  29.  Early  before  day  the  Saviour  took  to 
himself  Cornelia,  the  four-year  old  child  of  Leonard  and 
Rahel,  and  he  was 

Wednesday,  30,  buried.  For  three  days  we  have  very 
hard,  cold  weather,  so  that  at  night  we  can  hardly  keep 
warm.  Our  cattle  fare  worse  every  day,  for  we  have  our- 
selves hardly  any  thing  to  dat,  and  they  really  nothing. 
We  have  no  sheds  for  them,  and  could  make  none,  it  was 
.so  late  ;  thus  every  day  some  die,  and  it  is  as  if  the  Saviour 
were  angry  with  us.  Ah !  may  he  yet  have  mercy  upon  us, 
and  help  us  out  of  our  need. 

•  Friday,  Feb.  1.  John  and  Michael  went  to  McCormick 
to  get  corn  for  us,  and  came  home  at  night.  The  sisters, 
Sensemann  and  Jungmann,  have  taken  something  to  sew 
for  him,  that  they  may  earn  something  in  their  great  need. 
Now  for  some  days  it  has  been  extraordinarily  cold,  so  that 
some  people  in  this  neighborhood  say  that  for  ten  years  no 


64  zeisberger's  diary. 

winter  has  been  so  cold.  The  hunger  among  our  people 
here  at  home  is  so  great  that  for  some  time  already 
they  have  had  to  live  upon  dead  cattle,  cows,  and  horses; 
never  in  their  lives  have  they  felt  such  want ;  we  pity  these 
people,  but  we  can  not,  we  know  not,  how  to  help  them. 
Why  then  does  the  Saviour  let  all  this  come  upon  us  ?  We 
have  thus  far  in  our  want  got  some  corn  from  a  trader, 
wherefor  we  give  him  cattle  in  payment. 

Saturday,  2.  We  had  the  pleasure  of  again  seeing 
young  Jos.  Schebosh,  who,  in  the  autumn,  went  to  the 
Fort  to  search  for  his  father  and  sister,  carried  away  pris- 
oners. With  him  came  his  sister  and  the  son  and  daugh- 
ter of  Rachel ;  but  two  others  have  remained  behind  in 
Gnadenhiitten,  whom  we  formerly  expected,  so  that  all 
the  prisoners  are  now  again  with  us,  except  Br.  Schebosh, 
and  he,  we  now  hear,  has  gone  to  the  church  (i.  e.  Bethle- 
hem). We  are  pleased  at  this,  that  the  brethren  should 
have  a  chance  to  hear  something  circumstantially  about 
us,  and  we  look  upon  it  as  a  providence  from  our  Saviour 
that  it  should  so  have  happened,  and  that  these  brethren 
must  have  been  taken  prisoners  so  as  to  give  news  of  us. 
By  them,  to  our  great  joy,  we  received  letters  from  Litiz 
(Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.)  of  the  end  of  August  and  beginning 
of  September.  The  last  was  written  when  we  were  already 
prisoners.  We  got  also  some  weekly  journals,  but  we  had 
to  keep  ail  this  secret,  and  dared  not  once  give  a  greeting 
to  the  brethren.  We  learned  also  that  a  brother,  Daniel- 
son,  from  Bethlehem,  had  been  in  Pittsburg.  Likewise, 
also,  we  could  hope  that  we  should  now  be  set  loose  from 
our  captivity. 

Sunday,  3.  David  preached  in  the  forenoon  and  Jung- 
mann  held  the  congregation  meeting  in  the  evening. 

Monday,  4.  Poraoacan  came  with  a  following  of  In- 
dians and  some  whites,  to  hear  the  news  from  us,  whom 
we  referred  to  Jos.  Schebosh,  who  politely  disposed  of 
them.  Isaac,  however,  who  had  been  sent  around  the 
town  to  find  something  for  them  to  eat,  came  back  and 
said  to  them,  and  especially  to  Pomoacan,  that  he  could 
find  nothing  for  them  to  eat,  for  our  own  people  had  them- 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,    1782.  65 

selves  nothing  but  dead  cattle  to  live  upon,  and  he  said  to 
him  :  "When  thou  wast  in  Gnadenhiitten,  thou  didst  ask 
of  us  tea,  bread  and  butter,  milk,  pork  and  beef,  and  what- 
ever pleased  thee,  and  we  gave  thee  all  thou  desiredst. 
Then  thou  didst  say  to  us  we  should  not  regard  our  plau- 
tations,  but  arise  and  go  with  thee;  we  should  find"  every- 
thing again  and  yet  more  than  we  had  left  behind.  Who- 
ever takes  a  bird  or  duck,  he  strives  at  once  to  get  it 
something  to  eat.  Thou  hast  brought  us  here,  but  hast 
not  given  us  a  grain  of  corn.  Thus  hast  thou  cooled  thy 
wrath  on  us."  He  and  those  with  him  were  quite  still  at 
this  and  could  say  nothing. 

Tuesday,  5.  David  held  the  early  service  over  the  Scrip- 
ture-verse :  Israel,  thou  shalt  not  be  forgotten  of  me. 
Adam,  who  came  home  from  the  towns,  had  likewise  heard 
that  we  white  brethren  in  the  spring  would  all  be  brought 
to  Detroit,  and  said  thereupon  :  "There  are  so  few  brethren 
at  home,  they  are  all  scattered  in  the  bush  and  in  the 
towns,  among  the  Shawauese  and  on  the  Muskingum,  so 
can  it  happen  if  we  again  come  home,  that  we  shall  not 
again  meet  and  you  will  be  carried  away.  If  this  shall 
happen  we  shall  all  be  in  pitiable  circumstances.  I  wish 
then  no  longer  to  be  alive,  for  I  could  not  look  upon  the 
misery.  You  would  have  no  want  and  would  be  better  off 
than  you  are  now,  but  with  us  things  would  be  bad  in- 
deed." Br.  David  comforted  him,  saying,  the  Saviour 
would  ever  help  us  and  not  permit  us  to  be  separated 
froiTi  them,  and  should  he  permit  it,  he  would  give  them 
advice  what  they  were  to  do. 

Wednesday,  6.  Joshua  and  Jacob,who  went  to  the  trader, 
must  there  hear  much  about  this,  that  the  former  had  gone 
to  the  Fort  to  get  back  his  sister  and  the  others  who  were 
made  prisoners,  and  they  accused  him  of  taking  letters 
there  and  bringing  letters  back,  which  is  yet  quite  false. 
He  had  brought  a  newspaper  which  Br.  David  sent  with  a 
letter  to  the  governor  in  Detroit.  It  is  true,  we  could 
have  written  by  him,  and  he  begged  us  to  send  letters  by 
him,  but  we  dared  not  on  account  of  our  unfaithful  people. 
5 


66  zeisberger's  diary. 

We  saw  from  this  that  they  who  pretended  to  he  our 
friends  are  still  secretly  our  enemies,  that  in  our  presence 
they  appear  friendly  for  their  own  gain,  to  make  profit 
from  us  still,  and  hehiud  our  hacks  they  are  our  foes  and 
would  like  to  hasten  our  ruin  and  utter  destruction. 

Thuf-sday,  7.  Several  brethren  returned  from  the  Shaw- 
anese  towns,  where  they  had  bought  corn,  and  for  about 
a  bushel  they  must  pay  five  dollars,  thus  still  dearer  than 
among  the  Wyandots,  though  they  had  expected  to  get  it 
cheaper.  Again  some  have  gone  to  the  Muskingum,  and 
we  are  left  at  last  here  alone.     Sugar  began  to  run. 

Saturday,  9.  Came  again  seven  brethren  with  corn 
from  the  Shawanese  towns,  and  several  from  here  went  to 
the  Muskingum,  for  they  have  now  heard  from  those  who 
have  come  from  the  Fort,  that  they  have  nothing  to  fear 
there.  Thus  all  wish  to  go  there,  and  this  is  also  their 
only  hope  of  getting  the  means  of  life,  and  although  the 
corn  still  stands  in  the  fields  unharvested,  3'et  it  is  still 
good  and  unhurt. 

Sunday,  10.  Heckewelder  preached  and  David  held 
the  congregation  meeting.  There  were,  however,  very 
few  brethren  at  home. 

Tuesday,  12.  Susanna,  Sophia's  daughter,  wife  of  Mark, 
bore  a  son. 

Wednesday,  13.  To-day  and  several  days  preceding,  yet 
more  brethren  have  gone  to  the  Muskingum.  Indeed  they 
would  prefer  to  move  there  than  here  to  sufi'er  want  and 
hunger,  if  they  had  permission,  for  of  this  place  they  have 
had  quite  enough,  even  they  who  came  here  willingly. 

Friday,  15.  The  little  daughter  of  Sybilla,  born  Jan. 
26,  was  baptized  with  the-name  Sara. 

Sunday,  17.  Heckewelder  preached.  At  a  love-feast 
we  congratulated  Sister  Susanna  upon  her  thirty-ninth 
birthday,  and  wished  her  many  blessings  from  the  Saviour. 
We  white  brethren  are  quite  alone  at  home,  since  most  of 
those  still  remaining  here  are  sugar-making. 

Wednesday,  20.  Warriors  came  in  who  went  to  the 
war,  and  they  staid  over  night.  They  went  about,  and 
when  they  saw  so  many  cattle  lying  dead,  they  laughed 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,    1782.  67 

and  scoffed  about  it.  The  savages  are  pleased  now  that 
things  go  hard  with  us,  that  we  suffer  famine  and  anxiety, 
and  our  cattle  all  perish,  and  they  say  we  have  now  be- 
come like  them,  we  should  be  no  better  off"  than  they,  and 
so  it  was.  They  envied  us  our  quiet  and  that  we  should 
have  no  want  in  the  means  of  life. 

Sunday,  24.  Many  brethren  came  from  the  sugar-camp 
home  for  the  sermon,  which  Br.  David  preached  from 
the  text:  God  so  loved  the  world,  but  there  was  no 
translator  there.  A  party  of  Wyandots  in  the  last  few 
days  has  gone  to  the  war. 

Monday,  25.  It  was  again  winter-like,  and  it  snowed 
after  we  had  had  for  some  time  fine  spring-weather.  Up 
to  this  time  durins:  this  winter  we  have  remained  so  far 
quiet  and  undisturbed,  although  we  have  always  heard  as 
well  from  the  Shawanese  towns  as  also  from  those  near 
us,  the  Wyandot,  Mousey,  and  Delaware  towns,  that  we, 
the  missionaries,  would  be  taken  this  spring  by  lake  to 
Detroit  and  separated  from  our  Indians.  This  was  es- 
pecially incredible  to  us,  because  the  commandant  in  De- 
troit iiad  given  us  such  good  assurances  and  a  pass, 
wherein  it  was  expressly  announced,  and  all  our  names 
were  named,  that  we  should  be  unmolested,  remain  with 
the  Indians,  and  teach  them.  Yet  when  we  saw  the  hos- 
tility of  the  wild  Indians  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel, 
and  that  they  thought  only  to  ruin  and  destroy  the  Indian 
church,  for  that  was  their  end  and  object  from  the  begin- 
ning of  our  captivity,  we  were  often  not  without  trouble 
and  anxiety. 

When  they  saw  that  we  again  were  building  a  meeting- 
house, they  said,  "What  is  that?  We  thought  preaching 
would  stop,  and  now  again  shall  it  first  make  a  good  be- 
ginning ?"  Thus  we  thought  this  would  finally  be  the  end 
of  our  pain,  and  so  resigned  ourselves  to  God's  will  as  he 
would  let  it  happen,  since  now  in  this  matter  we  could 
neither  do  nor  alter  any  thing,  if  it  should  happen.  We 
had  already  some  time  ago  arranged  with  the  national 
assistants,  when  we  were  still  together,  to  remain  here, 
since  we  have  not  yet  seen  a  place  where  we  could  better 


68  zeisberger's  diary. 

« 

and  quieter  be  than  here,  though  we  knew  and  saw  that 
as  long  as  we  are  here  we  should  have  nothing  but  hardship 
and  trouble  from  the  Indians,  especially  from  the  "Wyandots, 
who  were  resolved  to  do  us  all  the  injury  they  could,  which 
we  always  heard  from  a  trustworthy  source.  Our  Indian 
brethren  were  now  partly  in  the  Shawanese  towns,  partly 
on  the  Muskingum,  and  in  the  bush,  scattered  about  to  get 
the  necessaries  of  life,  and  only  some  few  old  brothers  and 
sisters  at  home ;  so  it  came  about  that  we, 

Friday,  March  1,  through  a  messenger,  were  summoned 
to  Pomoacan,  who  sent  word  he  had  something  to  tell  us. 
Br.  David,  who  was  especially  summoned,  went  there  Sat- 
urday, the  2d,  with  Br.  Heckewelder  and  two  Indian 
brethren,  where  also  a  council  of  Wyandots  and  Delawares 
was  assembled;  there  it  was  told  us  by  the  Half- King  that 
a  letter  had  come  from  the  commandant  in  Detroit,  which 
a  white  man,  Simon  Girty^  by  name,  had  given  him  to  read, 
and  indeed  it  was  not  written  to  us,  but  to  him,  and  to  our 
great  amazement  it  contained  the  following  sentence  re- 
garding us  missionaries : 

"You^  will  please  present  the  strings  I  send  you  to  the 
Half-King  and  tell  him  I  have  listened  to  his  demand. 
I  therefore  hope  he  will  give  you  such  assistance  as  you 
may  think  necessary  to  enable  j^ou  to  bring  the  teachers 
and  their  families  to  this  place.  I  will  by  no  means  allow 
you  to  suiFer  them  to  be  plundered  or  any  way  ill-treated." 

So  far  his  order.  It  is  easy  to  conjecture  what  heart- 
rending news  this  was  to  us.  and  here  nothing  was  to  be 
done  but  to  resign  ourselves  willingly  to  our  fate,  for  the 
most  common  objections  we  could  have  made  would  have 
been  utterly  useless,  and  only  have  given  the  Wyandots  op- 
portunity to  take  us  in  hand,  and  misuse  their  power  by  ill- 

^The  historians  of  the  Border  Wars  of  the  Eevolutionary  period  can 
find  no  words  strong  enough  to  express  their  detestation  of  Simon 
Girty,  the  worst  of  the  trio,  Elliot  and  McKee  being  the  others.  His 
life  maybe  found  in  detail  in  Butterfield's  Crawford's  Campaign,  p.  182. 
He  is  stiid  to  have  perished  in  battle  at  Proctor's  defeat,  on  the  River 
Thames,  Oct.,  1813.     Howe's  Hist.  Collections,  p.  246. 

^  This  quoted  passage  is  in  English  in  the  original. 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,    1782.  60 

treating  us ;  this  we  could  conjecture  from  the  order,  though 
it  may  not  have  been  so  intended.  We  gave  then  to  the 
Englishman  a  written  acknowledgment  that  w^e  had  re- 
ceived the  commandant's  order,  would  conduct  ourselves 
accordingly,  and  obey  his  command,  that  in  fifteen  days 
we  would  be  in  Lower  Sanduskv.  when  we  beo-o-ed  that 
we  might  be  brought  over  the  lake  by  water,  for  our  sis- 
ters, with  the  little  children,  could  not  possibly  make  the 
toilsome  journey  by  land;  and  this  also  was  granted  us. 

In  the  evening  we  came  back  home  to  our  brethren,  who 
at  this  news  were  with  ourselves  amazed  and  saddened, 
and  all  the  Indian  brethren  who  heard  it  passed  a  sleepless 
night.  Yes,  we  could  not  contentedly  resigu  ourselves  to 
leaving  our  Indian  church,  and  thought  it  impossible  that 
the  Saviour  could  permit  it.  If  we  were  all  destroj'ed,  theu 
once  for  all  we  were  freed  from  all  need ;  thus,  however, 
were  we  upheld  to  endure  more  deaths.  But  so  it  was, 
and  we  saw  no  other  plan  wherever  we  cast  our  thoughts, 
and  meanwhile  we  had  to  comfort  ourselves  with  to-day's 
Scripture-verse,  which  read  :  My  thoughts  are  not  your 
thoughts,  neither  are  your  ways  my  ways,  saith  the  Lord, 
and  with  the  collect^  therein  say  to  the  Saviour:  AVe  will 
put  our  trust  in  thee. 

Sunday,  3.  To-day  we  sent  at  once  a  messenger  to 
the  Shawanese  towns,  where  some  of  our  brethren  were, 
likewise  an  express  to  the  Muskingum,  to  call  in  some 
brethren  with  horses,  to  take  us  to  Lower  Sandusky,  and 
also  once  more  to  take  counsel  with  them. 

The  brethren  in  the  neighborhood,  who  were  making 
sugar  in  the  bush,  of  whom  there  were  only  a  few,  all  came 
home  at  this  sad  news,  and  to  them,  in  a  meeting,  a  discourse 
was  delivered  over  to-day's  Scripture-verse:  Since  thou 
wast  precious  in  my  sight,  thou  hast  been  honorable,  and  I 
have  loved  thee.  Jesus!  thou  art  all  compassion — Pure, 
unbounded  love  thou  art.  It  was  told  them  that  in  a 
short  time  we  should  be  taken  away  from  them,  and  they 
were  exhorted  to  cling  the  closer  to  the  Saviour,  to  keep 

*  The  collect  is  the  stanza  of  a  hymn,  placed  after  the  Scripture-verse. 


70  zeisberger's  diary. 

together  in  love  and  nnity,  and  not  to  give  Satan  the  satis- 
faction of  seeing  the  church  destroyed.  Thej  could  now 
perceive  clearly  and  plainly  enough  that  from  the  outset 
it  had  been  their  object  and  aim  to  hinder  the  Saviour's 
work  and  to  destroy  it  utterly.  There  was  such  weeping 
in  the  room  that  our  hearts  broke.  A  stone  might  feel 
pity  to  see  and  hear  the  distress  of  the  brethren  ;  should 
not  God  feel  pit}^  for  his  elect,  who  wept  and  cried  aloud 
to  him?  All  the  brethren  who  came  home  wept  their  fill 
with  us,  and  we  comforted  them  the  best  we  could, 
thouo-h  we  ourselves  needed  comfort.  Advice  we  could 
not  and  dared  not  give  them,  save  a  little,  for  good  reasons, 
but  only  say  to  them  to  look  to  their  old,  sensible  brethren, 
to  obey  them  and  do  as  they  did. 

We  could  now  see,  from  all  the  information  we  had 
heard  for  some  time  back,  that  already  in  the  autumn, 
soon  after  our  departure  from  Detroit,  or  while  we  were 
still  there,  it  had  been  then  resolved  to  have  us  all  come 
there  in  the  spring.  Capt.  Pipe  had  indeed  said,  in  the 
council  there  about  us  brethren,  that  we  should  get  per- 
mission to  return  to  our  Indian  brethren  ;  but  we  heard 
after  we  were  come  home,  that  other  Delaware  captains 
had  come  in  after  our  departure  who  were  not  pleased  that 
the  commandant  had  let  us  go,  and  since  Pomoacan  had 
again  sent  him  a  message  about  the  matter,  this  order  fol- 
lowed. We  have  also  afterwards  heard  what  he  had  had 
written  the  commandant  about  us,  namely,  he  required  that 
he  should  remove  the  ministers,  for  his  heart  did  not  feel 
right  so  long  as  he  saw  us  there,  and  feared  a  mishap 
would  come  over  him,  and  if  he  did  not  take  us  aAvay,  he 
would  take  counsel  with  himself,  for  go  we  must.  Thus 
it  seems  probable  to  ns  that  the  commandant  would 
have  given  orders  in  the  autumn,  had  we  all  been  to- 
gether. Capt.  Pipe  also  said  to  us  himself,  he  had  had  a 
great  contest  with  the  other  captains  about  this,  who  had 
not  been  content  with  him,  and  had  said  he  had  done 
every  thing  b}^  himself,  without  their  consent,  he  had 
therefore  nothing  more  to  say,  and  should  be  of  no  further 
account,    whereupon,    from    vexation,    he    went    away  a 


UPPEE.  SANDUSKY,  1782.  71 

long  distance  into  the  bush  hunting.  And  it  is  true  that 
Pipe  had  acted  in  our  favor  as  far  as  he  could,  but  the 
captains  opposed  him,  and  have  now  brought  the  matter 
so  far  that  the  Indian  church  is  robbed  of  its  teachers. 
Our  intelligent  Indian  brethren  would  often  have  liked 
to  open  their  mouths  against  the  savages  in  regard  to  us, 
but  have  refrained,  since  we  white  brethren  were  in  the 
power  of  the  warriors,  from  fear  we  should  suffer  for  it, 
or  even  lose  our  lives  ;  thus  they  preferred  to  be  silent  and 
let  all  manner  of  hardships  come  upon  them.  They  now 
see  very  well  what  sort  of  friends  they  have,  who  made 
them  many  fine  promises,  how  good  they  would  have  things 
here  if  they  would  come  here.  Instead  of  this  they  have 
suffered  hunger  and  anxiety,  their  friends  have  not  pro- 
vided for  them,  nor  in  any  way  helped  them,  their  cattle 
have,  for  the  most  part,  perished,  and  they  are  utterly 
poor,  for  they  who  had  something  had  to  give  it  up  for 
corn.  A  brother  came  and  said  :  "  I  am  guilty  of  your 
misfortunes,  for  I  have  betrayed  you  as  Judas  betrayed  the 
Saviour,  and  must  now  be  lost  unless  you  forgive  me." 

Monda}^  4.  Few  as  are  the  brethren  now  at  home,  we 
spent  the  whole  day  in  listening  to  them,  comforting 
them,  encouraging  them,  and  exhorting  them  to  stay  fast 
by  the  Saviour  and  his  death  on  the  cross.  We  heard  and 
saw  now  the  condition  of  our  brethren's  hearts  and  minds, 
how  disinclined  they  are  to  the  heathen's  life,  and  how 
dead  to  those  friends  who  have  brought  them  to  such  want 
and  wretchedness.  They  are  prepared  and  hardened  for 
these  circumstances,  and  their  eyes  have  been  opened. 
These  events  have  conduced  more  to  bring  them  to  a 
proper  state  than  we  have  been  able  to  accomplish  the 
whole  time  we  have  been  with  them  ;  for  they  always  in- 
clined towards  their  friends,  who  did  them  harm.  Many 
now  said  to  us  :  "I  care  nothing  for  outward  loss  ;  that  I 
am  stripped  of  every  thing  I  had,  and  am  become  poor  ; 
that  I  have  to  suffer  hunger  and  want;  that  all  my  cattle 
have  perished  :  all  this  will  I  cheerfully  endure  and  not 
be  concerned,  but  that  they  at  last  rob  us  of  our  teachers 
and  wish  to  destroy  our  souls'  weal  and  food,  that  cuts 


72  zeisberger's  diary. 

me  deep  to  the  heart,  and  is  above  every  thing.  They 
shall  not  see,  however,  that  I  associate  with  them,  and 
take  up  again  their  heathenish  life  ;  rather  will  I  go  into 
the  bush,  separate  myself  from  all  human  society,  and 
pass  the  rest  of  my  life  piteously.  They  shall  not  get  me 
into  their  power  nor  force  me  to  any  thing  for  which  I 
have  no  pleasure  or  inclination."  [Others  again  had  other 
plans,  many  of  them,  however,  to  go  to  Pittsburg.]  Some 
said  this  froiri  whom  we  had  not  expected  it,  and  it  was  to 
us  a  great  comfort  to  see  them  in  such  disposition  of  soul, 
but  as  often  as  they  thought  that  in  a  short  time  they 
would  see  us  no  more,  the  tears  immediately  ran  down 
their  cheeks. 

Tuesday,  5.  Br.  Heckewelder  held  the  early  service 
over  the  Scripture-verse  of  the  day :  Thus  saith  the  Lord 
God,  Behold  I  will  lift  up  mine  hand  to  the  Gentiles,  and 
set  up  my  standard  to  the  people,  and  they  shall  bring  thy 
sons  in  their  arms  and  thy  daughters  shall  be  carried  upon 
their  shoulders.  Outstretched  see  his  arms  of  love — Haste 
his  tender  heart  to  prove — Haste,  ye  sinners, ye  will  find — 
Jesus  casteth  none  behind. 

"Wednesday,  6,  We  had  a  laborers'  conference,  and  con- 
sulted with  the  Saviour,  among  other  things,  what  we 
could  advise  our  brethren  in  these  circumstances,  now  that 
we  must  leave  them.  We  asked  then,  after  we  had  de- 
clared our  opinions  one  to  another,  whether,  in  these  cir- 
cumstances, we  should  advise  our  assistants  what  to  do 
after  we  were  gone  ?     Answer,  "  'No." 

Thursday,  7.  We  received  some  news  of  our  brethren 
on  the  Muskingum  that  all  was  well,  and  that  they  were 
just  about  to  come  back  again,  that  they  were  not  without 
alarm  for  us  white  brethren,  that  something  was  happening 
to  us  and  that  we  must  be  taken  faraway  from  them.  The 
brethren  at  home  came  and  wept  over  us,  that  in  a  short 
time  they  would  be  forsaken  and  would  be  like  sheep 
without  a  shepherd,  and  many  said:  "0,  could  we  only 
keep  our  teachers  with  us,  I  would  certainly  obey  them 
better  than  I  have  hitherto  done."  Others  again  would 
take  up  arms  and  fight  the  matter  out  by  force. 


UPPER    SANDUSKY,    1782.  73 

Friday,  8.  The  son  of  Br.  Mark  and  his  wife,  Susauna, 
born  in  the  bush  Feb.  12,  was  baptized  with  the  name 
Jonathan.  For  several  days  we  have  rainy  weather  and 
at  last  severe  thunder-storms;  the  Sandusky  has  risen 
very  much,  so  that  the  high  water  will  delay  our  journey. 

Saturday,  9.  Michael  held  the  early  service  over  the 
Scripture- verse :  The  chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon 
him.  Joachim  came  back  from  the  Shawanese,  and 
brought  news  that  the  others  still  there  would  follow  in  a 
day  or  two.  The  high  water  keeps  them  back  very  much. 
From  our  brethren  on  the  Muskingum  we  hear  strange 
things,  especially  from  the  young  people,  in  regard  to  us, 
since  as  yet  they  knew  nothing  about  our  forced  departure. 
It  begins  to  be  clear  to  us  why  we  neither  should  nor  could 
advise  our  brethren. 

Sunday,  10.  At  last  came  some  from,  the  Shawanese  towns, 
namely,  Abraham,  after  we  have  some  time  awaited  them. 
We  long  very  much  for  our  brethren  on  the  Muskingum, 
for  we  can  not  get  away  until  we  have  horses,  and  we  must 
be  prepared  for  the  Wyandots  taking  us  and  carrying  us 
on,  into  whose  hands  we  have  no  wish  to  come,  for  we 
have  already  learned  what  it  is  to  be  in  their  power. 

"Wednesday,  13.  We  sent  out  a  messenger  to  meet  those 
brethren  who  are  on  their  way  from  the  Muskingum,  to 
bring  them  on,  for  we  already  feared  some  accident  had 
befallen  them,  they  were  gone  so  long. 

Thursday,  14.  Very  early  the  Indian,  George,  came  with' 
the  frightful  news  that  all  our  brethren  who  went  to  Schon- 
brunn,  Gnadenhlitten,  and  Salem  had  been  captured  by  the 
Americans  and  taken  to  Pittsburg;  the  messenger  related 
many  unpleasant  things  that  occurred,  for  example,  that 
they  were  bound  and  some  killed,  but  all  of  this  we  could 
not  believe.  But  that  our  Indian  brethren  are  taken  to 
Pittsburg  is  the  more  pleasing  to  us,  w^ere  it  only  all  of 
them  there,  and  had  they  again  a  brother  with  them.  We 
shall  be  glad  to  bear  our  captivity  if  only  our  brethren  are 
rescued. 

Friday,  15.  We  went  away  from  Sandusky  in  company 
with  some  Indian  brethren. 


74  zeisbepger's  diary. 

Departure  from  Sandusky,  1782. 

Friday,  March  15,  was  the  day  appointed  for  our  separa- 
tion from  our  Indian  brethren  and  our  departure,  on  which 
account  a  Frenchman^  came  yesterday,  who  was  to  lead 
us  safely  and  go  with  us  to  Detroit.  The  Half-King 
also  came  to-day  to  look  on  and  be  present  at  our  depart- 
ure. Early  in  the  morning  we  assembled  for  the  last  time 
in  our  room  herewith  our  brethren,  who  in  accordance 
with  our  Scripture-verse  of  today:  Therefore  with  joy 
shall  ye  draw  water  out  of  the  wells  of  salvation,  were 
exhorted,  now  that  we  must  leave  them,  to  hold  fast  to 
the  Saviour,  who  is  the  fount  of  all  weal  and  blessed- 
ness, and  to  his  wounds  from  which  flow  to  us  all  that 
is  good  and  blessed.  They  should  always  earnestly  bear 
in  mind  that  they  have  been  cleansed  of  their  sins  by  his 
blood  and  baptized  into  his  death.  In  prayer  upon  our 
knees  we  thanked  the  Saviour  for  all  the  goodness  and 
comfort  we  had  enjoyed  from  him  in  all  our  unhappinesses 
and  burdens,  in  all  our  need  and  danger  from  without, 
recommended  as  well  ourselves,  who  were  going  away,  as 
especially  our  Indian  church  to  his  mercy,  to  the  care  and 
oversight  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  to  the  guard  and  protec- 
tion of  our  dear  heavenly  Father,  to  hold  them  together 
until  we  should  see  each  other  again.  We  thought  also  of 
our  brethren  on  the  Muskingum  in  our  prayer.  Many  hot 
tears  were  shed,  which  he  will  not  leave  unnumbered  and 
disregarded.  At  the  end  was  baptized  into  Jesus'  death  a 
well-grown  child,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Rachel,  with 
the  name  Maria.  The  brethren  then  took  leave  of  us  one 
after  the  other,  which  to  us  on  both  sides  was  very  griev- 
ous. Thereupon  we  went  away,  accompanied  by  some  In- 
dian brethren  and  two  sisters,  to  Lower  Sandusky,  in  order 
to  go  on  further  to  Detroit  by  some  chance  ship  or  by 
boats.  Several  brethren  besides  went  some  distance  with 
us,  and  then  turned  back  again.  Since  we  did  not  all 
have  horses,  for  we  had  lost  all  our  own  horses,  and  our 


^Mr.  Lavallie,  Heck.  Nar.,  p.  329. 


JOURNEY   TO    DETROIT,    1782.  75 

Indians  could  not  get  enough  for  us,  most  of  them  being 
on  the  Muskingum,  some  of  us  had  to  go  afoot  through 
water  and  swamps,  yet  we  were  glad  that  the  sisters  all 
had  horses;  but  our  things  we  had  to  leave  behind.  How 
woeful  and  grievous  it  was  to  leave  our  Indian  church,  can 
easily  be  imagined  ;  could  we  have  taken  this  with  us  we 
might  go  Avhere  we  would,  but  now  that  we  must  be  sepa- 
rated from  them,  we  have  neither  joy  nor  comfort.  We 
came  to-day  about  ten  miles,  to  McCormick,  near  a  Wyan- 
dot town,  where  we  encamped  under  the  open  heaven. 
Here  we  sent  back  a  messenger,  and  told  our  Indian  breth- 
ren to  bring  our  things  after  us  by  water. 

Saturday,  16.  Here  Ave  were  promised  more  horses, 
but  our  leader,  the  Frenchman,  could  buy  none  ;  there- 
fore many  of  us  had  to  go  by  water  in  a  canoe  we  had 
brought  with  us  to  pass  a  deep  creek,  as  far  as  the 
falls,  and  thus  far,  to-wit,  some  twenty  miles  from  Lower 
Sandusky,  the  creek  is  very  fine  for  a  canoe,  but  then 
we  had  to  go  altogether  afoot,  for  our  canoe  was  quite 
small,  and  we  did  not  dare  to  go  down  the  falls  in  it. 
Our  safeguard,  the  Frenchman,  lent  meanwhile  Br.  David 
his  horse  to  ride.  He  was  very  pleasant  with  us,  and  had  pa- 
tience with  the  sisters.  There  were  two  days  of  very  cold 
weather,  so  that  we  all  caught  bad  colds,  and  it  was  a  great 
wonder  that  the  children,^  whom  the  Indian  sisters  gener- 
ally carry  in  their  blankets  on  their  backs,  bore  it  so  well. 
Br.  Edwards,  who  had  to  go  all  day  afoot,  through  water 
and  marsh,  was  quite  cheerful,  but  came  off  with  a  lame 
leg,  from  which,  after  the  journey  was  over,  he  suffered  a 
week  before  he  could  as-ain  walk. 

March  I9.  We  came  to  Lower  Sandusky,  and  encamped 
at  first  in  the  bush,  pitching  our  tents  there.  This  morn- 
ing, before  we  had  broken  up  camp,  one  of  our  Indians 
came  as  messenger  to  us,  who  brought  us  the  news  that 
our  baggage  was  coming  down  by  water,  and  that  they 
had  heard  nothing  further  from  our  brethren,  who  had 


^  A  d.aughter  of  Heckewelder,  about  a  year  old,  and  a  son  of  Sense- 
mann,  still  younger.     De  Schweinitz'  Life  of  Zeisberger,  p.  535. 


76  zeisberger's  diary. 

gone  to  tlie  Muskingum,  whom  we  believed  taken  captive. 
Here  were  several  white  people,  traders  from  Detroit,  who 
trade  here  with  the  Indians,  who  received  us  and  treated 
us  well,  for  we  had  no  food  except  what  we  had  brought 
for  the  journey,  and  had  also  nothing  else  in  our  posses- 
sion, and  took  with  us  all  we  had,  and  that  was  now  ex- 
hausted. But  these  people  saw  that  we  suffered  no  want, 
and  not  that  alone,  but  they  took  us  into  their  houses  and 
did  not  permit  us  to  encamp  in  the  open  air. 

Here  is  a  small  Wyandot  town,  from  which  the  Indian 
men  had  all  gone  out  to  light  with  the  Americans,  and  the 
whites  were  for  the  most  joart  making  sugar  in  the  bush. 
To  this  point  ships  and  vessels  from  Detroit  can  come  up 
the  Sandusky,  but  this  seldom  happens,  unless  troops  are 
sent  over,  for  the  traders  bring  their  wares  over  in  the 
boats.  Also  Frenchmen  are  here  with  the  English  traders, 
and  many  white  prisoners  from  the  Americans  among  the 
Wyandots,  who  do  not  give  up  their  prisoners  to  the  En- 
glish. They  prefer,  by  keeping  them,  to  strengthen  their 
own  nation.  We  met  here  Br.  Conner  and  his  wife,  who 
moved  here  last  autumn,  when  we  Avent  to  Upper  San- 
dusky, for  they  could  maintain  themselves  better  here. 

March  21.  The  Indian  brethren,  William,  Abel,  Adam 
and  Joseph,  the  Delaware,  and  Sisters  Martha,  Au- 
gustine and  Petty  turned  back  again  home  to  their 
friends.  They  had  come  with  us  thus  far  with  horses. 
It  was  a  renewed  sorrow,  for  we  thought  never  again 
to  see  any  of  our  brethren.  To  them  also  we  could  give 
no  advice,  for  we  knew  not  ourselves  what  would  be  best 
for  them.  Therefore  we  merely  told  them  always  to  hold 
together  as  far  as  possible,  wherever  they  might  be,  and 
not  to  be  mingled  and  lost  among  the  Indians. 

We  learned  now  what  had  really  been  the  occasion  of 
our  again  being  called  to  Detroit.  We  had  indeed  in  the 
first  place  looked  upon  it  as  done  by  the  commandant  for 
our  safety,  and  so  indeed'it  was.  But  especially  the  Wy- 
andots, and  in  particular  the  Half-king,  at  the  instigation 
of  some  white  people,  had  complained  to  the  commandant 
that  so  long  as  we  were  in   Sandusky  we  corresponded 


JOURNEY   TO    DETROIT,    1782.  77 

with  the  Pittsburgers,  and  would  certainly  yet  bring  them 
here  to  blot  them   out,  on  which  account  they  besought 
the  commandant  to  take  us  away,  and  send  us  back  home 
again.     The  Half-king  said  :  His  affairs  would  not  be  well 
so  Ion  a-  as  we  were  there,  and  he  feared  still  another  mis- 
fortune  to  fall   upon  him.     Yes,  besides  this,  we  heard, 
that  if  he  had  not  quickly  summoned  us,  they  would  have 
put  us  all  to   death.     During  the  winter  we  had  indeed 
forebodings  of  this,  and  an  especial  feeling  that  our  se- 
curity was  not  too  well  assured,  yet  we  did  not  know  that 
our  lives  stood  in    such    continued  danger,    as   we    now 
heard  from  people  who  knew  it  very  well  from  having 
always  heard  it  from  the  ringleaders  themselves.     Thus 
we  could  look  upon  it  as  a  providence  from  the  Saviour, 
which  he  had  thus  prepared  for  our  rescue  since  he  will 
yet  still  uphold  us.     It  had  seemed  to  us,  when  we  were 
taken  from  our  place  in  Upper  Sandusky,  and  driven  out, 
so  to  speak  heels  over  head,  as  if  we  went  out  of  Sodom, 
only  we  pitied  our  Indian  brethren,  wiiom  we  now  looked 
upon,  and  ever  had  upon  our  hearts  and  in  our  minds,  as 
lost  sheep  that  have  no  shepherd.     The  Wyandots,  who 
have  always  appeared  so   especially  friendly  towards  us, 
and  we   have  believed  it  too  that   they  were   our  good 
friends,  they  are   now  our  greatest   foes ;   for  they  have 
brought  us  and  our  Indians  into  the  greatest  misery,  and 
have  us,  so  to  speak,  in  their  power;  they  would  like  to 
extirpate  us  and  our  Indians,  had  they  nothing  to  fear  af- 
terward from  other  nations.     And  since  they  are  angry 
with  us,- they  are  fearful  about  us,  for  their  conscience  ac- 
cuses them  of  having  treated  us  so  ill,  and  they  fear  that 
our  Indians  will  take  revenge  on  them,  and  make  them 
some  return  for  what  they  have  done  to  us.     The  Half- 
King's  brother,  who  came  with  us  here,  and  who  is  to  go 
with  us  to  Detroit,  probably  that  he  may  get  a  good  pres- 
ent, but  this  in  the  end  could  not  happen,  and  was  un- 
necessary, he  borrowed  from  a  trader  here  the  first  night 
a  pistol,  and  being  asked  what  he  wanted  to   do  with  it, 
answered,  he  was  afraid  of  us,  that  we  should  undo  him; 
from  which  is  to  be  seen  that  they  have  no  good  con- 


78  zeisberger's  diary. 

science.  That  the  Half-King's  two  sons  last  autumn  died 
in  the  war,  of  that  no  one  is  accused  except  us,  and  he  can 
not  be  persuaded  otherwise. 

March  23.  The  Frenchman  who  is  commissioned  to 
take  us  to  Detroit  sent  an  express  to  the  commandant 
there  that  he  should  send  boats  or  a  ship  over  to  transport 
us,  till  that  event  we  must  remain  here,  meanwhile  also 
the  weather  will  become  more  tolerable,  for  it  is  yet  too 
cold  to  go  upon  the  lake,  and  at  present,  as  we  hear,  it  is 
not  yet  free  from  ice.  By  Joshua  and  Jacob,  Rachel's  son, 
who  brought  our  baggage  by  w^ater  as  far  as  the  falls,  we 
have  to-day  the  first  trustworthy  and  very  afiecting  news 
of  the  horrible  murder,'  March  7th,  of  our  Indian  brethren 
in  Gnadenhiitten,  and  March  8th,  of  our  brethren  in 
Salem. 

See  our  Scripture-verse  for  March  7th  and  8th,  which  are 
worthy  of  note.^  Our  brethren  at  home  numbered  86 
missing,  but  they  could  not  certainly  say  whether  all  were 
killed  or  some  taken  prisoners  :  we  hoped  the  latter,  and  that 
some  few,  though  not  the  greater  part,  are  yet  alive.  Our 
Indian  brethren  during  the  whole  winter  had  to  make 
shift  to  live  and  suftered  great  hunger,  for  among  the  Wy- 
andots  and  Delawares,  living  in  this  neighborhood,  noth- 
ing was  to  be  had,  for  they  themselves  not  only  now,  but 
every  year,  suiFer  want,  for  they  are  lazy  and  plant  little, 
and  although  they  got  some  corn  from  the  Shawanese, 
yet  it  was  not  enough.  Since  now  they  heard  from  those 
who  in  the  autumn  had  been  taken  to  Pittsburg  and  had 
again  come  back,  that  in  our'towns  there  was  corn. enough 
and  that  they  had  nothing  to  fear  in  going  there  to  get 
it,  they  made  ready  and  went  away,  for  they  saw  nothing 
else  before  them  if  they  remained,  than  that  they  and  their 
children  must  starve.  We  advised  them  at  Christmas 
and  on  New  Year's  day  to  go  there,  for  as  long  as  the 
snow  remained  there  was  least  danger,  but  they  did  not 

^Read  also  Heckewelder's  account  of  this  massacre  in  his  narrative, 
and  see  W.  H.  Howell's  account  in  the  Atlantic  Monthly,  Vol.  23, 
p.  95. 

''Is.  Ixvi.,  19,  and  X.,  22. 


MASSACRE    AT    GNADENHUTTEN,    1782.  79 

go  until  the  snow  melted  and  then  it  was  too  late  and 
dangerous  :  when  thej  were  there  they  used  not  the  least 
forethought,  for  they  believed  themselves  quite  secure. 
Instead  of  hastening  to  get  away  again,  they  stayed  sev- 
eral weeks  in  the  towns  and  lields,  having  then  enongh  to 
eat.  The  most  wonderful  thing  is  that  while  hitherto 
our  Indians  had  always  been  careful  and  distrustful  and 
fearful,  and  if  they  thought  themselves  at  all  insecure, 
had  fled  into  the  bush,  and  at  least  would  not  pass  the 
night  in  the  towns,  now  when  they  really  saw  the  dan- 
ger and  the  white  people  before  their  eyes,  they  were  not. 
at  all  suspicious  and  went  straight  into  danger. 

The  militia,  some  200  in  number,  as  we  hear,  came  first 
to  Gnadonhiitten.  A  mile  from  town  they  met  young 
Scheboshin  the  bush,  whom  they  at  once  killed  and  scalped, 
and  near  by  the  houses,  two  friendly  Indians,  not  belong- 
to  us,  but  who  had  gone  there  with  our  people  from  San- 
dusky, among  whom  there  were  several  other  friends  who 
perished  likewise.  Our  Indians  were  mostly  on  the  plan- 
tations and  saw  the  militia  come,  but  no  one  thought 
of  fleeing,  for  they  suspected  no  ill.  The  militia  came  to 
them  and  bade  them  come  into  town,  telling  them  no  harm 
should  befall  them.  They  trusted  and  went,  but  were  all 
bound,  the  men  being  put  into  one  house,  the  women  into 
another.  The  Mohican,  Abraham,  who  for  some  time  had 
been  bad  in  heart,  when  he  saw  that  his  end  was  near, 
made  an  open  confession  before  his  brethren,  and  said  : 
"  Dear  brethren,  according  to  appearances  we  shall  all  very 
soon  come  to  the  Saviour,  for  as  it  seems  they  have  so  re- 
solved about  us.  You  know  I  am  a  bad  man,  that  I  have 
much  troubled  tlie  Saviour  and  the  brethren,  and  have  not 
behaved  as  becomes  a  believer,  yet  to  him  I  belong,  bad 
as  I  am ;  he  will  forgive  us  all  and  not  reject  me  ;  to  the 
end  I  shall  hold  fast  to  him  and  not  leave  him."  Then 
the}'^  began  to  sing  hymns  and  spoke  words  of  encour- 
agement and  consolation  one  to  another  until  they  were 
all  slain,  and  the  above  meutioned  Abraham  was  the  first 
to  be  led  out,  but  the  others  were  killed  in  the  house. 
The  sisters  also  afterwards  met  the  same  fate,  who  also 


80  zeisberger's  diary. 

sang  hymns  together.  Christina,^  the  Mohican,  who  well 
nnderstood  German  and  English,  fell  upon  her  knees  be- 
fore the  captain,  begging  for  life,  but  got  for  answer  that 
he  could  not  help  her.  Two  well-grown  boys,  who  saw 
the  whole  thing  and  escaped,  gave  this  information.  One 
of  these  lay  under  the  heaps  of  slain  and  was  scalped,  but 
finally  came  to  himself  and  fonnd  opportunity  to  escape* 
The  same  did  Jacob,  Rachel's  son,  who  was  wonderfully 
rescued.  For  they  came  close  upon  him  suddenly  outside 
the  town,  so  that  he  thought  they  must  have  seen  him, 
but  he  crept  into  a  thicket  and  escaped  their  hands.  They 
knew  his  horses,  which  in  the  autumn  they  had  seen  at 
his  home,  and  inquired  for  him,  for  he  was  one  of  those 
taken  prisoners,  probably  therefore,  by  the  very  men  who 
were  now  there.  He  went  a  long  way  about,  and  observed 
what  went  on. 

John  Martin  went  at  once  to  Salem  when  the  militia 
came,  and  thus  knew  nothing  about  how  the  brethren  in 
Gnadenhiitten  fared.  He  told  them  there,  the  militia  were 
in  Gnadenhiitten,  whereupon  they  all  resolved  not  to  flee, 
but  John  Martin  took  with  himself  two  brethren  and 
turned  back  to  Gnadenhiitten,  and  told  them,  there  were 
still  more  Indians  in  Salem,  but  he  did  not  know  how  it 
had  gone  with  them  in  Gnadenhiitten.  A  part  of  the 
militia  went  there  on  the  8th  with  a  couple  of  Indians, 
who  had  come  there  to  Salem  and  brought  the  brethren 
away,  after  they  had  first  taken  av/ay  their  arms,  and  when 
they  came  to  Gnadenhutten,  before  they  led  them  over  the 
stream,  they  bound  them,  took;  even  their  knives  from 
them.  The  brethren  and  the  sisters  alike  were  bound,  led 
into  town,  and  slain.  They  made  our  Indians  bring  all 
their  hidden  goods  out  of  the  bush,  and  then  they  took 
them  away ;  they  had  to  tell  them  where  in  the  bush  the 


^  "  Christina,  another  widow,  who  had  been  an  inmate  of  the  Bethle- 
hem '  Sisters'  House '  in  her  youth,  spoke  English  and  German  fluently, 
and  was  a  woman  of  education  and  refinement,  fell  on  her  knees  be- 
fore Col.  Williamson,  and  addressing  him  in  English,  besought  him  to 
spare  her  life.  'I  can  not  help  you,'  was  hi.'s  cold  reply.  "  De 
Schweinitz'  Life  of  Zeisberger,  p.  549. 


MASSACRE  AT  GNADENHUTTEN,  1782.  81 

bees  were,  help  get  the  honey  out;  other  things  also  they 
had  to  do  for  them  before  they  were  killed.  Prisoners  said 
that  the  militia  themselves  acknowledged  and  confessed 
they  had  been  good  Indians.  They  prayed  and  sang  until 
the  tomahawks  struck  into  their  heads.  The  boy  who  was 
scalped  and  got  away,  said  the  blood  flowed  in  streams  in 
the  house.  They  burned  the  dead  bodies,  together  with 
the  houses,  which  they  set  on  fire. 

In  regard  to  the  brethren  in  Schonbrunn,  when  we 
learned  we  were  to  be  taken  to  Detroit,  we  sent  at  once  a 
messenger  to  the  Muskingum,  for  a  very  short  time  was 
given  us  for  getting  away,  that  they  should  come  with  the 
horses  and  help  get  us  to  Lower  Sandusky.  This  messen- 
ger came  to  Schonbrunn  on  the  very  7tli  of  March  when 
the  militia  reached  Gnadenhiitten  and  delivered  his  mes- 
sage. They  sent  at  once  the  same  day  a  messenger  to 
Gnadenhiitten  to  let  them  there  and  in  Salem  know  what 
was  happening  here.  Before  the  messenger  got  quite  to 
Gnadenhiitten,  he  found  young  Schebosh  lying  dead  by 
the  wayside  and  scalped,  and  when  he  looked  about  he  saw 
that  many  white  people  had  gone  to  Gnadenhiitten.  He 
at  once  turned  back  to  Schonbrunn  and  bronght  them  this 
news,  whereupon  they  at  once  retired.  The  militia  sepa- 
rated the  next  day,  one  part  going  to  Salem,  the  other  to 
Schonbrunn,]where,  however,  they  found  no  one,  although 
our  Indians  saw  them  in  the  town  ;  and  of  these,  six  perished 
who  were  in  Gnadenhiitten  and  Salem,  but  no  one  of  the 
others  perished,  and  they  all  came  back  to  Sandusky  after 
we  had  already  set  out.  This  news  sank  deep  in  our 
hearts,  so  that  these  our  brethren,  who,  as  martyrs,  had  all 
at  once  gone  to  the  Saviour,  were  always,  day  and  night, 
before  our  eyes,  and  in  our  thoughts,  and  we  could  not 
forget  them,  but  this  in  some  measure  comforted  us,  that 
thev  had  passed  to  the  Saviour's  arms  and  bosom  in  such 
resigned  disposition  of  heart,  where  they  will  forever  rest, 
protected  from  the  sins  and  all  the  wants  of  the  world. 

The  Wyandot  and  Delaware  warriors,  not  only  while 
we  still  lived  on  the  Muskingum,  but  also  now,  when  press- 
6 


82  zeisberger's  diary. 

ing  hunger  drove  our  Indians  there,  have  always  labored 
to  bring  upon  us  the  whites,  and  whenever,  they  came 
back  from  murdering  they  came  through  our  towns,  in 
order  that,  if  they  w^ere  pursued,  the  white  people  might 
fall  upon  us,  and  so  they  now  also  did,  for  as  soon  as  our 
Indians  went  there,  the  warriors  went  too  and'  did  harm 
to  the  settlements  beyond  the  river.  It  happened  then 
that  a  war  party  came  to  Gnadenhiitten  with  a  prisoner, 
whose  wife  and  child  they  killed  near  Gnadenhiitten,  and 
had  impaled.  The  prisoner  talked  with  our  Indians  and 
warned  them  to  be  oft',  for  the  whites  were  already  assem- 
bled, would  follow  up  the  warriors,  and  fall  upon  them  if 
they  did  not  go  away.  When  the  warriors  moved  away 
he  perceived  that  two  of  them  remained  behind.  In  the 
first  night-camp  afterwards,  however,  the  prisoner  escaped, 
and  had  the  good  luck  to  get  off,  and  soon  after  this  the 
militia  came  and  made  very  sharp  inquiries  what  they  had 
done  with  the  wife  and  child,  but  this  they  could  not  an- 
swer them.  From  this  it  can  be  concluded  that  the  pris- 
oner had  betrayed  to  them  that  "our  Indians  were  there. 

March  25.  Br.  Sensemann  went  up  the  river  with  two 
Frenchmen  to  the  falls,  to  bring  back  our  baggage  with 
horses — so  far  the  two  Indian  brethren  had  brought  it 
down  by  water — and  he  came  back  the  next  day,  but  the 
two  Indian  brethren,  Joshua  and  Jacob,  returned  to 
Sandusky. 

27.  Through  Mr.  Robbins,  a  merchant  here  and  our 
friend,  who  has  come  back  from  our  Indians  in  Upper 
Sandusky,  where  he  bought  cattle,  we  heard  that  our  In- 
dian brethren  still  kept  up  theii:  meetings,  and  he  told  us 
he  had  himself  been  present  at  them,  and  had  seen  with 
his  eyes  how  they  sang  together,  exhorted  and  encouraged 
one  another,  and  with  one  accord  lifted  up  their  voices 
and,wept  aloud  together,  which  had  made  deep  impres- 
sion upon  him,  and  he  had  great  pity  for  their  grievous 
ij  circumstances,  and  to  us  also  was  it  agreeable  and  pleasing 

that  they  kept  up  their  meetings,  as  we  bade  them  do  at 
our  departure.  He  said  our  Indians  did  not  blame  the 
white  people  that  so  many  of  them  had  lost  their  lives, 


JOURNEY  TO  DETROIT,  1782.  83 

but  the  warriors,  especially  the  Wyandots,  who  led  us 
away  captive,  and  had  ruined  the  Indian  church.  These 
now  rejoiced  to  have  led  and  brought  them  into  such  mis- 
fortune and  that  so  manv  are  ruined. 

28.  On  Maundy-Thursday  we  were  heart  and  soul  in 
the  church,  and  silently  begged  a  blessing  from  the  Sa- 
viour, for  here  we  were  with  only  the  world  about  us,  and 
could  not  have  the  Lord's  supper. 

29.  We  read  together  to-day  the  story  of  the  passion^ 
of  our  Saviour,  who  let  himself  be  put  to  death  for  oui? 
sins,  and  by  his  death  has  brought  back  to  us  everlasting 
life,  with  humble  and  contrite  hearts.  So  also  on  the  31st, 
Easter  morning,  we  read  the  Easter  litany,  and  at  the 
proper  place  we  prayed  for  eternal  communion  with  our 
brethren,  both  on  the  Muskingum  and  in  Sandusky;  but, 
above  all  with  them,  who  on  the  7th  and  8th  of  this  month 
perished  as  martyrs  in  Gnadenhiitten,  the  thought  of 
whom  goes  always  to  our  hearts. 

April  2.  The  brethren,  Samuel  JSTanticoke,  Matthew 
and  Thomas  came  to  visit  us.  The  first  two  were  come 
back  from  Schonbrunn,  and  had  been  present  at  the  ca- 
lamity. But  they  knew  no  more  than  had  already  been 
told  us,  and  of  the  brethren  in  Salem  they  knew  thus- 
much,  that  they  had  been  brought  to  Gnadenhiitten,  where 
they  were  stripped  and  bound.  We  learned  from  them, 
that  the  Half-King  advised  our  Indians,  after  our  depart- 
ure, to  go  awa}''  from  that  neighborhood  and  seek  out  an- 
other place,  Avhere  they  could  remain ;  that  on  this  ac- 
count they  resolved  to  move  to  another  place  towards  the 
Miami  (Maumee.)  In  this  matter  we  could  not  advise 
them,  since  we  did  not  ourselves  know  where  there  was  a- 
quiet  place  for  them  to  find,  for  the  world  is  on  all  sides 
too  narrow  for  us.  We  knew  not  how  to  help  ourselves, 
and  our  Indian  church  has  among  the  heathen  nations  not 
a  friend  left,  much  less  we,  for  we  white  brethren  have 
the  bitterest  enemies  in  the  Wyandots,  Shawanese,  and 
Delawares,  by  whom  we  are  surrounded,  and  if  the  hand 
of  God  had  not  worked  a  mighty  miracle  for  us,  we  should 
already  long  ago  have  been  wiped  away  from  the  earth, 


84  zeisberger's  diary. 

for  there  has  been  no  lack  of  will  on  their  part  and  of 
thirst  for  our  blood,  so  long  as  we  were  with  our  Indians 
in  Sandusky.  A  good  thing  it  was  that  we  knew  it  not 
then,  as  we  afterwards  heard  enough  about  it,  for  we 
should  have  had  much  unnecessary  perplexity,  and  the 
Saviour  has  spared  us  that. 

We  conversed  with  the  assistant,  Samuel,  and  we  told 
him  our  thoughts  and  disposition  in  regard  to  their  dif- 
ficult and  dangerous  circumstances,  and  the  great  want  in 
which  our  Indians  now  are;  that  all  this  hardship  and 
their  troubles  have  not  come  upon  them  without  cause ; 
they  had  sinned  against  the  Lord,  their  God,  had  been 
disobedient  to  their  teachers,  had  heaped  sin  upon  sin,  and 
if  their  teachers  disciplined  them  therefor,  and  were  strict 
with  them,  they  had  become  wicked  and  scornful  towards 
them,  and  when  they  got  a  chance,  namely,  when  the  war- 
riors were  strong  enough  in  our  towns,  had  as  good  as  be- 
trayed and  sold  their  teachers,  in  order  to  show  us  we  had 
no  power  to  punish  them  for  their  sinful  lives,  as  if  they 
wished  to  show  us  that  our  life  and  position  depended 
upon  them ;  they  wished  to  close  our  mouths  that  we 
might  not  bear  witness  against  their  wickedness  and  sinful 
ways ;  we  had  great  compassion  with  those  who  remained 
true  and  upright,  who  had  to  suifer  with  the  guilty ;  it 
grieved  us  to  the  heart  that  in  ail  our  need  and  perplexity 
there  were  yet  ill-minded  people  among  us,  who  were  al- 
ways heaping  more  sin  upon  themselves,  and  who,  now 
that  we  are  away,  always  lay  the  blame  upon  their  teach- 
ers that  they  fare  so  ill,  and  indeed  even  say  we  were  the 
cause  of  the  death  of  the  brethren  in  Gnadenhiitten,  and 
bad  well  known  it  beforehand ;  we  looked  upon  all  the 
evil  which  was  come  upon  them  as  a  deserved  punishment 
from  the  Saviour  upon  them,  and  they  would  do  well  to 
confess  their  sins,  and  to  repent  of  them,  and  to  ask  for- 
giveness from  the  Saviour,  that  he  would  again  let  them 
feel  his  mercy  and  pity ;  to  this  the  assistant,  Samuel,  re- 
plied it  was  even  so  to  him,  and  he  had  already  long 
so  thought. 
,  These  three  brethren  returned   home  on   the  4th,  but 


JOURNEY    TO    DETROIT,    1782.  85 

on  the  5th  came  three  families,  namely,  Adam,  Ignatius, 
and  Rachel,  with  their  wives  and  children,  so  that  we  had 
always  yet  brethren  with  us.  The  poor  people  knew  not 
where  to  turn,  they  are  like  sheep  that  have  no  shepherd, 
and  it  is  a  great  comfort  to  them  merely  to  see  us  once 
more,  but  we  can  not  look  upon  them  without  great  com- 
passion. 

7.  Warriors  came  in,  bringing  a  prisoner,  from  whom 
we  now  get  the  certain  news  that  all  our  Indians  in  Gnad- 
enhiitten  and  Salem  were  put  to  death,  and  that  none 
were  spared;  he  said  the  militia  had  96  scalps,  but  our 
Indians  numbered  only  86,  who  went  away  from  us.  The 
rest  then  must  have  been  friends,  who  did  not  belong  to 
us.  The  prisoner  said  farther  that  two  men  alone  had  ac- 
complished the  whole  murder  after  the  Indians  had  been 
bound,  and  they  had  killed  them  one  after  the  other  with 
a  wooden  mallet. 

8.  A  o-roundless  alarm  arose  among  the  Indians  in 
town,  that  our  Indians  now  here  had  killed  a  Wyandot 
woman  or  several  women.  This  thus  came  about.  A 
woman  was  going  home  from  her  sugar-shed,  and  some 
miles  from  here  heard  a  shout  or  playful  outcry,  and  re- 
ported somebody  must  have  been  killed.  When  investi- 
gation was  made,  the  story  was  found  false.  From  this 
can  be  seen  that  they  have  no  clear  conscience,  and  are 
always  afraid  that  our  Indians  may  take  vengeance  upon 
them  for  having  treated  us  so  ill. 

From  Upper  Sandusky  an  Indian  came  as  express,  bring- 
ing news  that  after  the  militia  came  back  from  their  mur- 
derous work  in  Gnadenliiitten,  they  killed  also  the  Dela- 
wares,  who  had  already  lived  a  couple  of  years  near  the 
Fort;  two  from  there  escaped  and  came  to  Sandusky,  one 
of  whom  is  our  Anton,  who  went  away  there  from  Salem  to 
see  his  brother,  but  had  spoken  to  no  one  about  his  plans. 
I  have  often  thought  during  the  time  of  our  captivity,  if 
we  had  retreated  betimes  to  Fort  Pitt  with  our  Indians,  as 
was  several  times  proposed  to  us,  we  should  have  escaped 
all  this  want  we  have  encountered.  We  have  often  thought 
about  this  and  considered  it  in  one  way  and  another,  but 


86  zeisberger's  diary. 

could  never  make  up  our  minds  to  it,  finding  too  much  op- 
position and  difficulty  in  the  way,  so  that  we  had  to  give 
up  the  plan.  But  now  we  plainly  see  that  if  we  had  gone 
there  with  our  Indians,  we  should,  unwittingly,  have 
gone  into  the  greatest  danger.  Nowhere  is  a  place  to  be 
found  to  which  we  can  retire  with  our  Indians  and  be  se- 
cure. The  world  is  already  too  narrow.  From  the  white 
people,  or  so-called  Christians,  we  can  hope  for  no  protec- 
tion, and  among  heathen  nations  also  we  have  no  friends 
left,  such  outlaws  are  we!  but  praise  be  to  God,  the  Lord, 
our  God  yet  lives,  who  will  not  forsake  us.  He  will  pun- 
ish us  if  we  deserve  punishment,  that  afterwards  he  may 
be  the  more  merciful  to  us. 

April  11.  A  war-party  arrived  with  these  prisoners  and 
two  scalps.  The  prisoners  confirm  the  news  that  none  of 
our  Indians  remain  alive,  but  of  those  in  Pittsburg  most 
have  escaped.  An  Englishman  who  lives  among  the  Wyan- 
dots,  who  received  the  order  to  conduct  us  to  Detroit,  but, 
because,  together  with  the  Indians,  he  went  to  the  war,  had 
got  another  to  take  his  place  to  go  with  us,  came  back 
from  the  war  and  showed  himself  a  Satan  towards  us, 
swore  at  us,  and  threatened  to  bury  the  tomahawk  in  our 
heads.  Through  the  whole  night  he  drank  his  fill  in  the 
house  where  we  were,  and  we  were  in  danger  of  our  life, 
not  alone  from  him:  a  Wyandot  squaw  who  robbed  us  in 
Schonbrunn,  we  heard  say  again  and  again,  she  would 
come  and  kill  us  all.  We  could  not  sleep  the  whole  night, 
for  he  was  like  one  mad,  and  worse  than  the  drunken  In- 
dians, yet  the  Saviour  shielded  us  from  harm,  and  let  the 
angels  sing':  They  shall  be  uninjured. 

13.  Through  the  Indian  brethren,  Samuel  Nanticoke 
and  Thomas,  who  came  last  evening  once  more  to  see  us, 
we  learn  that  Mark,  with  lialf  our  Indians,  has  gone  to 
the  Shawanese.  Abraham,  William,  Samuel  and  Corne- 
lius, however,  with  the  other  half,  have  gone  into  the 
neighborhood  of  Pipe's  town,  near  the  Delawares,  but  not 
to  remain,  but  to  settle  further  on  near  the  Miami.  That 
our  Indians  should  take  refuge  among  the  Shawanese,  of 
whom  we  have  always  warned  them,  was  not  a  pleasant 


JOURNEY    TO    DETROIT,    1782.  87 

thing  for  ns  to  hear,  for  there  is  the  very  theatre  of  war 
in  the  Indian  land.  To-day  two  boats  came  from  Detroit, 
sent  by  the  commandant  to  carry  us,  for  which  we  had 
long  and  eagerly  waited,  and  with  them  came  also  a  ser- 
geant and  fourteen  rangers  to  take  us  thither.  The  com- 
mandant wrote  to  the  merchant  in  whose  house  we  are, 
very  favorably  about  us.  He  hoped  that  the  English 
traders  would  have  received  us,  and  entertained  us  well, 
and  if  any  one  had  done  us  harm  or  ill-treated  us,  he 
should  let  him  know  it.  The  sergeant  with  his  men  had 
strict  orders  to  treat  us  well,  and  to  place  us  in  no  un- 
necessary danger  while  upon  the  lake,  should  it  be 
stormy. 

14.  After  we  had  taken  leave  of  our  brethren  who  are 
here,  and  had  recommended  them  to  the  mercy  and  pro- 
tection of  God,  we  departed,  and  towards  evening,  passed 
through  the  little  lake  with  a  good  wind;  it  was  some- 
what rough,  and  Sister  Susanna  became  somewhat  sea- 
sick. At  night  we  encamped  on  an  island  in  the  lake, 
where,  for  a  year  or  more,  two  Frenchmen  have  lived, 
having  come  to-day  somewhere  about  30  miles. 

15.  In  the  morning  we  came  at  once  into  Lake 
Erie  and  coasted  along  the  west  shore  of  the  lake,  but 
could  go  on  daily  only  a  while  in  the  forenoon  and  a 
couple  of  hours  before  evening,  for  the  wind  blew  so  hard 
that  we  had  to  run  to  land,  and  every  night  draw  the 
boats  ashore,  if  we  did  not  find  a  suitable  harbor  or  creek 
to  run  into,  for  otherwise  the  high  waves  would  have 
straightway  struck  the  boats  to  pieces,  and  therefore  they 
had  to  be  drawn  ashore.  On  the  18th  we  came  to  Cedar 
Point,  where  there  is  no  wood  but  cedar  to  be  found. 
Not  only  here,  but  everywhere,  so  far  as  we  came,  were 
many  Indians,  Chippewas,  Potawatomies,  "Wyandots, 
Tawas,  etc. 

19.  We  had  to  go  over  a  bay,  the  wind  was  ahead  and 
pretty  strong,  so  that  the  waves  struck  well  into  the  boat. 
This  is  the  bay  where  the  Miami  falls  into  the  lake.  We 
got  over  by  good  luck,  and  then  with  a  good  wind  40 
miles  and  more  into  the  straits,  and   in  the   afternoon  of 


88  zeisberger's  diary. 

the  20th  to  Detroit.  Our  hoatmen,  the  rangers,  who  iu 
other  respects  are  like  the  Indians  in  manners  and  cus- 
toms, have  borne  themselves  towards  us  in  a  very  friendly 
and  modest  way.  The  sergeant  took  every  care  of  us 
upon  the  lake  and  exposed  us  to  no  danger,  and  thereby, 
too,  lost  no  time.  With  ships  and  large  vessels  you  can 
go  directly  over  the  lake,  with  a  good  wind,  in  four  and 
twenty  hours  from  shore  to  shore.  But  with  boats  they 
dare  not  venture  it,  but  must  keep  close  in  shore,  so 
that  if  the  weather  be  stormy  they  can  land,  and  there  it 
is  often  dangerous,  if  the  wind  sets  from  the  lake  towards 
the  shore. 

We  ^  were  quartered  here  in  the  old  fort  in  the  barracks, 
where  we  were  surrounded  by  soldiers  alone,  who  daily 
had  their  drill  in  the  fort  at  the  parade  place,  and  where 
all  day  long  we  heard  nothing  but  drumming,  filing,  and 
music.  But  we  were  glad  and  thankful  to  have  a  large, 
roomy  chamber  to  ourselves,  and  no  one  disturbed  us  or 
put  any  obstacles  in  our  way.  The  commandant.  Major 
de  Peyster,  soon  summoned  Br.  David.  A  sentinel, 
however,  was  placed  before  our  quarters  until  he  had 
spoken  to  us.  He  said  to  Br.  David  he  had  not  expected 
to  see  us  so  soon  again  when  he  sent  us  away  in  the  au- 
tumn, but  so  many  complaints  had  come  in  against  us,  to 
which,  however,  he  gave  no  credence  and  which  he  be- 
lieved false,  that  he  was  compelled  to  call  us  away  from 
Sandusky  and  to  have  us  come  here;  he  had  done  it 
against  his  will,  but  must  needs  do  it  for  the  sake  of  our 
own  safety,  to  make  us  come  here,  for  he  could  assure  us 
that  our  lives  were  in  the  greatest  danger  if  we  re- 
mained longer  in  Sandusky.  [He  had  received  Br.  David's 
letter.]  Now  that  we  were  here,  he  wished  to  leave  it  to 
us  to  remain  here  or  to  go  home,  and  if  we  chose  the 
latter,  to  leave  it  entirely  to  us  if  we  wished  to  go  away, 
for  in  two  days  a  ship  would  depart  for  Niagara  in  which 
we  could  go  if  we  wished,  but  if  we  wanted  to  stay  a  week 
longer,  that  a  ship  went  then,  too,  and  we  could  do  as  we 


^For  a  desci'ij)tioii  of  Detroit  in  1778,  see  Sketches  of  Detroit,  p.  5. 


IN  DETROIT,   1782.  89 

pleased  ;  Br.  David  could  come  again  to  him  after  a  while 
and  speak  to  him.  He  answered  him  that  we  had  also  so 
regarded  our  removal  from  Sandusky  as  done  for  our 
safety's  sake;  the  charges  brought  against  us  were  all 
quite  false  and  unfounded;  as  for  our  going  home,  we 
asked  time  for  consideration  until  the  second  ship  went, 
since  this  occasion  was  too  soon  for  us.  He  was  well 
content  with  this,  and  added  also  that  if  we  wished  to  go 
now,  we  should  gain  nothing,  it  were  just  as  well  .to  wait 
till  August.  He  said  he  would  give  orders  that  care 
should  be  taken  for  our  maintenance,  that  we  should  suf- 
fer no  want,  and  if  we  needed  any  thing  we  should  say 
so.  Br.  David  ^ave  him  our  thanks.  Then  the  command- 
ant  came  himself  to  our  quarters,  saw  us  all,  and  greeted 
us  most  cordially. 

22.  Still  another  prisoner  was  added  to  our  number, 
whom  the  Indians  brought  in  day  before  yesterday.  He 
was  from  N"orth  Carolina,  acquainted  in  the  Wachau  •} 
he  was  captured  by  the  Indians  with  another  man  in  Ken- 
tucky and  would  be  sent  to  Canada  in  the  next  ship  that 
went. 

25.  Br.  David  went  early  to  the  commandant,  who  in- 
vited him  to  breakfast,  and  Br.  David  improved  the  occa- 
sion to  speak  to  him  about  our  mission,  and  asked  him 
whether  there  were  no  possibility  that  we  and  our  In- 
dians could  settle  somewhere  in  this  neighborhood  under 
his  protection  ;  that  he  had  heard  a  Gov.  Sinclair  lived  at 
Michilimackinac,  who,  if  he  were  the  same  person,  had 
oftered  to  our  brethren  in  London  several  years  before,  a 
place  for  a  settlement  on  his  land  with  the  object  of  their 
having  an  opportunity  to  convert  the  natives,  who  are  nu- 
merous and  strong  there,  to  the  Christian  belief.  He  took 
notice  of  what  Br.  David  said,  and  answered  :  Gov.  Sin- 
clair was  in  Michilimackinac,  his  land  lav  not  far  off  on 
Lake  Sinclair,  but  it  was  inhabited,  and  he  did  not  think 
it  suitable  and  pleasant  for  our  Indians ;  but  seven  or 
eight  miles  down  the  river  towards  Lake  Erie  was  an  isl- 


^A  name  given  to   the  Moravian   purchase  in  Stokes  and  Forsyth 
counties,  N.  C. 


90  zeisberger's  diary. 

and,  where  perhaps  they  could  live,  only  it  was  very  much 
overgrown  with  wood,  and  would  he  hard  for  Indians  to 
clear.  He  had  himself  a  stretch  of  land  situated  near  Lake 
Erie,  and  should  its  position  be  agreeable  to  us,  we  were  wel- 
come to  settle  on  it.  He  said  further:  the  Catholic  priests 
had  taken  great  pains  since  this  land  was  inhabited  by 
white  people  to  bring  the  nations  over  to  the  Christian  re- 
ligion;  they  had  found  also  among  the  Wyandots  some 
admissjon,  but  with  the  Chippewas  could  do  nothing, 
though  they  had  taken  pains  with  them.  They  did  not 
live  steadily  in  towns,  but  moved  from  one  place  to  another 
on  Lakes  Huron  and  Superior,  hunting  and  fishing,  but 
planted  nothing,  and  thus  their  mode  of  life  made  it  hard 
to  do  an}'^  thing  among  them  ;  there  was  said  to  be  such  a 
number  of  them  that  where  they  began  and  how  far  they 
extended,  was  not  yet  known,  and  some  estimated  them  at 
30,000  strong,  which  also  the  royal  interpreters  main- 
tained, who  were  best  acquainted  with  them.  In  con- 
clusion, the  commandant  said  to  Br.  David  he  would  re- 
flect upon  his  propositions,  have  him  called  again,  and 
give  him  further  information.  We  were  glad  that  yet  one 
chance  showed  itself  of  rescuing  the  remnant  of  our  In- 
dian  church. 

On  the  27th  he  summoned  Br.  David  again,  who  went 
together  with  Br.  Edwards,  when  he  said  to  us  he  had 
thought  over  what  Br.  David  had  proposed,  and  if  we 
made  up  our  minds  to  remain  here  and  get  our  Indians 
here,  there  should  be  no  lack  of  help  on  his  part ;  we 
should  reflect  upon  it,  and  let  him  know  our  conclusion, 
which  we  promised  soon  to  do,  and  expressed  to  him  our 
thanks  and  gratitude  for  his  help  and  good  disposition  to- 
wards us. 

The  brethren  consulted  together  in  the  matter,  and  it 
was  especially  called  to  our  mind  that  here  the  Saviour 
had  given  us  occasion  to  assemble  and  rescue  our  mission, 
or  what  was  left  of  it,  so  that  there  could  Avell  be  no  ques- 
tion whether  we  should  accept  the  commandant's  offer, 
for  it  was  our  duty  and  necessity  to  venture  every  thing 
for  our  Indian  church,  and  to  receive  such  an  oft'er  with 


IN   DETROIT,    1782.  91  ■ 

a  thousandfold  joy.     But  to  do  away  with   every  doubt 
and  to  be  able  to  act  in  the  matter  with  greater  assurance 
and  joy,  we  wished  to  know  exactly  our  Saviour's  will  and 
have  his  approbation.     We  asked  him  accordingly,  and 
begged  him  to  advise  us  according  to  his  heart,  and  he 
gave  us  to  understand  his  good  pleasure  that  we  should 
call  our  Indians  here  and  accept  the  commandant's  propo- 
sition ;  should  take  this  with  joy  and  regard  our  mission 
as  not  altogether  a  thing  of  the  past,  but  should  regard  it 
as  a  token  that  he  wished  to  get  together  again  here  in 
this  neighborhood  his  Indian  church.    And  so  we  told  the 
commandant  that   since  he  had  given  us  hope  that  our 
mission  could  be  saved  from  perfect  ruin,  we  accepted  his 
proposition  with  joy,  for  we  felt  ourselves  bound  to  ad- 
venture body,  life  and  all  for  it.     We  quite  gave  up  the 
idea  of  going  home,  but  would   remain   here;  we  asked, 
however,  from  him  that  he  would  send  word  to  our  In- 
dians, call  them  here,  and  at  the  same  time  let  them  know 
that  we  awaited  them  hero,  and,  if  they  came,  had  permis- 
sion to  live  with  them ;  that  this  should  be  done  as  soon 
as  possible,  that  no  time  might  be  lost,  and  that  the  In- 
dians might  yet  do  some  planting.    He  promised  to  do  for 
us  all  we  thought  necessary.     He  wished,  however,  first  to 
speak   with    the    Chippewa    chiefs,    who   were    in    town, 
whether  they  would  not  let  our  Indians  settle  on  their 
land  some  twenty  miles  from  here  on  Huron  river  (now 
Clinton),  and  he  did  not  doubt  they  would  give  their  con- 
sent; he  would  put  this  going  this  very  day  and  make 
preparations,  and  if  this  succeeded  he  would  call  us  and 
give  us  further  information.     What  moved  him  to  favor 
this  plan  was  this :  he  saw  very  well  that  if  we  lived  be- 
low Detroit  we  should  be  much  disturbed,  not  only  by  the 
Wyandots,  who  live  the  other  side  of  the  river,  but  also 
by  warriors,  since  the  road  goes  that  way,  but  above  the 
city  we  should  not  have  this  to  fear,  for  the  Chippewas  do 
not  go  to  war,  and  both  he  and  many  people  in  the  city 
said  to  us  they  were  much  more  tractable  and  approach- 
able than  the  Wyandots  and  many  others. 

May  2.     We  had  a  chance  to  speak  to  an  Indian,  who, 


92  zeisberger's  diary. 

ten  days  before,  had  come  from  the  Shavvanese,  from, 
whom  we  got  some  news  of  our  Indians,  who  have  moved 
there,  and  because  in  the  morning  he  was  going  back 
there  again,  we  spoke  with  the  commandant  about  send- 
ing by  this  opportunity  a  message  to  our  Indians.  He  was 
at  once  willing,  and  asked  whether  one  or  two  of  us  would 
not  like  to  go  too.  We  considered  this,  and  replied  that  it 
did  not  seem  advisable  for  us  to  go  there;  in  the  first 
place,  since  certain  white  people  among  the  Wyandots,  who 
are  our  avowed  enemies,  would  set  the  Indians  against  us 
with  force,  and  would  make  every  effort  to  get  us  al- 
together out  of  the  way,  and  would  say  to  the  Indians : 
"  You  see  you  are  not  rid  of  these  people  ;  you  must  bring 
about  their  destruction."  And  secondly,  if  we  came  to  our 
Indians,  and  the  Shawanese,  Delawares,  and  Wyandots 
hear  we  have  come  with  such  intentions,  to  take  our  In- 
dians away,  Ave  should  not  only  find  great  opposition,  but 
we  should  not  be  sure  of  our  lives.  He  readily  saw  this, 
and  therefore  sent  a  Frenchman  with  the  Indians,  with  a 
written  message  and  a  string  of  wampum,  and  summoned 
them  to  come  here  to  their  teachers,  and  he  let  them  know 
that  here  we  had  freedom  to  remain  ;  they  should  all  come, 
and  if  all  would  not  or  could  not  come,  yet  some,  at  least, 
and  if  this  could  not  be,  that  the  three  brethren  who  were 
expressly  named,  Samuel,  William,  and  Mark,  should  cer- 
tainly come.  He  said  also  that  if  our  Indians  there  were 
well  provided  for,  he  had  no  objection  to  our  going  back 
and  living  with  them,  but  this  we  at  once  declined,  saying 
that  this  could  not  be  in  the  Indian  land  while  the  war 
lasted.  He  said  farther,  that  he  was  sorry  we  had  so 
much  trouble  about  our  mission  ;  we  must  not  think  him 
the  cause  of  it.  He  was  not  guilty  of  our  misfortunes, 
but  during  this  war  had  to  let  man}^  a  thing  happen  which 
he  did  not  approve,  but  yet  could  not  prevent.  He  Avould 
not,  for  all  the  world,  have  the  reputation  of  having  ruined 
our  mission,  such  a  praiseworthy  work  among  the  In- 
dians; he  wished  to  be  helpful  to  us  in  every  possible  way, 
that  our  Indians  should  again  be  got  together  and  estab- 
lished in  a  secure  place,  and  if  they  came  there,  he  would 


IN    DETROIT,    1782.  93 

furnish  some  head  of  cattle  for  our  use  at  the  outset,  since 
we  had  lost  every  thing ;  he  would  also  give  our  Indians 
tools  and  whatever  they  needed  to  cultivate  the  ground 
again.  He  had  spoken  with  the  Chippewas  and  arranged 
with  them  that  we  and  our  Indians  should  settle  on  the 
Huron  river,  some  twenty  miles  from  here,  which  was  said 
to  be  a  fine  place  and  good  land.  We  expressed  to  him 
our  gratitude  and  recognition  of  his  kindness  and  good- 
will. The  messengers  departed  the  next  day,  the  3d,  and 
we  spoke  both  with  the  Indian  and  also  with  the  French- 
man about  the  message  to  our  Indians. 

6.  By  a  ship,  bound  for  ]S"iagara,  Br.  David  sent  a  letter 
to  Bethlehem  by  way  of  Montreal  and  New  York,  the 
first  letter  since  our  captivity.  The  commandant  in  his 
own  hand  wrote  the  address,  that  it  might  go  unhindered. 
In  this  ship  we  should  have  gone,  when  we  first  came,  but 
this  is  now  changed  since  we  await  our  Indians  here.  The 
ship  was  filled  full  of  prisoners,  sent  to  Canada,  and  with 
Indians,  with  them  also  our  fellow  prisoner  went  away, 
Moore  by  name. 

7.  Since  a  boat  went  to  Lower  Sandusky,  Br.  David, 
with  the  consent  of  the  commandant,  sent  a  message  to  a 
trader  there,  to  send  an  express  to  our  Indians  in  Upper 
Sandusky,  and  tell  them  they  should  all  come  here  to- 
gether, the  sooner  the  better,  in  case  the  message  sent  to 
our  Indians  among  the  Shawanese  should  be  late  in  reach- 
ing them. 

10.  We  heard  from  the  interpreter  of  the  Chippewas  the 
description  of  the  land  on  the  Huron  river,  that  it  is  a  fine 
country,  good  land,  and  lies  some  ten  miles  up  the  river, 
and  thus  somewhat  out  of  the  way.  This  man,  who  was 
the  intrepreter  in  the  aifair,  and  knew  all  about  it,  told  us 
that  the  chiefs  were  asked  whether  they  had  any  objection 
to  the  Christian  Indians  settling  with  their  teachers  on 
their  land  ;  they  made  only  one  objection,  that  perhaps  the 
Delaware  nation  would  not  be  pleased,  and  would  look 
upon  them  as  having  drawn  their  friends  away  from 
them  and  alienated  them.  This  notion  was  soon  taken 
from  them,  for  the  commandant  and  Bawbee  (the  Indian 


94  zeisberger's  diary. 

agent)  said,  since  the  Delawares  had  driven  the  ministers, 
their  teachers,  out  of  their  land,  and  would  no  longer  have 
them  there,  thereby  they  had  also  driven  away  the  Chris- 
tian Indians  and  hunted  them  oft',  and  thus  they  must  go 
where  they  would  be  received,  and  the  Delawares  had  no 
right  to  say  any  thing  against  it.  We  learned  now  also 
that  the  land  belonged  to  Mr.  Bawbee,  to  whom  the  chiefs 
had  given  it. 

12.  The  notorious  McKee  and  Elliot  came  from  the 
Shawanese;  w.e  hoped  to  hear  something  about  our  In- 
dians there,  but  from  such  people  no  good  news  is  to  be 
expected. 

13.  But  to-day  we  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  here  our 
Gabriel,  with  an  unbaptized  Indian  besides,  who  had  just 
come  here  from  there,  and  we  heard  that  they  were  all 
well.  They  met  the  messengers  to  our  Indians  on  the  way, 
but  knew  nothing  about  the  matter. 

14.  Br.  David  was  summoned  to  the  commandant,  who 
wished  to  know  the  contents  of  the  letter  he  had  written 
to  Bethlehem,  since  he  wrote  about  this  to  the  general  in 
Canada,  and  recommended  him  to  send  on  the  letter,  say- 
ing that  he  knew  its  contents.  Br.  David  translated  it  into 
English  to  his  satisfaction. 

17.  Since  the  commandant  had  a  house  vacant  for  us 
outside  the  town,  where  prisoners  had  lived  who  were  now 
sent  to  Canada,  we  moved  out  of  the  barracks  to-day  into 
our  lodgings  near  Yankee  Hall,  close  by  our  house,  which 
has  its  name  from  the  fact  that  only  prisoners  who  were 
brought  in  by  the  Indians  live  there. 

19.  We  recommended  ourselves  in  stillness  to  the  care 
of  God  on  this  day  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  begged  of  him 
to  make  us  mindful  of  all  that  our  dear  Lord  will  have 
done  by  us  to  fulfil  with  us  his  aim  and  end.  We  read 
the  printed  discourse  of  the  sainted  disciple  (Count  Zin- 
zendorf)  upon  this  festival,  with  a  blessing  for  our  hearts. 

20;  We  saw  that  the  Indian  who  had  been  sent  as  mes- 
senger to  our  Indians  was  come  back.  Br.  David  went 
to  the  commandant  to  learn  how  things  looked,  and 
found  out  that  the  Indian  liad  turned  about  at  the  Miami, 


IN   DETROIT,    1782.  95 

since  the  Indians  he  met  told  him  that  onr  Indians  were 
all  scattered,  that  none  would  come,  and  it  was  in  vain  to 
call  them,  but  that  the  Frenchman  had  continued  his  jour- 
ney to  them,  and  in  accordance  with  his  order  would  de- 
liver his  message  ;  thus  we  have  still  some  hope  that  some 
one  of  our  Indians  will  come  ; 

24,  but  we  heard  from  an  Indian  acquaintance  that  the 
greater  part  of  our  Indians  was  still  together  near  San- 
dusky, that  as  soon  as  Br.  David's  letter  came  to  Lower 
Sandusky,  one  of  our  Indians  who  was  there  went  away 
at  once  to  them  with  the  message.  We  wish  they  would 
soon  come,  so  as  yet  to  do  some  planting. 

Sunday,  26.     We  read  together  the  church  litany. 

Thursday,  30.  To-day,  as  also  through  the  whole  week, 
a  multitude  of  Chippewas  has  come  in,  who  were  sum- 
moned to  go  to  the  war.  They  are  praised  by  all  the  other 
nations  for  being  the  best  and  most  kindly  Indians,  but 
even  such  Indians  are  much  corrupted  by  white  people, 
and  led  to  every  oftense. 

Sunday,  June  2.  Br.  David  baptized  in  the  city,  upon 
request,  a  merchant's  child,  Elizabeth,  and  at  the  ceremony 
delivered  a  short  discourse  to  those  present,  who  were  very 
attentive,  and 

Monday,  3,  at  the  commandant's  request,  through  a 
sergeant,  he  attended  the  burial  of  one  dead,  whereby  like- 
wise he  spoke  a  word  of  exhortation  to  those  present. 

Tuesday,  4,  was  a  great  festival  and  holiday,  the  king's 
birthday,  which  was  very  solemnly  celebrated. 

Friday,  7.  We  learn  from  Wyandots  who  have  come 
in  from  Sandusky  that  our  Indians  have  received  the  com- 
mandant's message,  and  make  ready  to  come,  that  they 
were  already  busy  planting.  This  was  uncommonly  pleas- 
ant for  us  to  hear,  and  gives  us  new  hope  of  seeing  again 
soon  our  people,  as  we  have  long  heartily  desired. 

Saturday,  8.  From  Delaware  Indians  who  came  from 
Sandusky  we  heard  the  same  about  our  Indians,  with  the 
addition  that  since  there  is  great  famine  among  them,  as 
among  all  Indians,  the  like  of  which  has  never  been,  our 
Indians  had  gone  to  the  Muskingum  to  get  corn,  on  which 


96  zeisberger's  diary. 

account  they  will  not  yet  come.  We  desire  nothing  so 
much  as  to  see  again  our  Indians,  for  we  fear  their  perfect 
ruin  and  destruction. 

Monday,  10.  ISTews'camein  of  a  fight  between  the  Virgin- 
ians and  English  and  Indians  in  Upper  Sandusky,  in  which 
the  first  had  the  worst  (in  Crawford's  Campaign).  In  this 
aflPair  we  could  think  of  nothing  but  our  Indian  brethren, 
and  recommend  them  to  the  Saviour's  protection.  Had 
we  still  been  there,  where  we  were  last  winter,  it  would 
have  been  hard  with  us  and  dangerous,  for  we  were  just 
under  headway  when  we  heard  that  they  had  gone  back 
to  our  town  where  we  had  been,  but  where  no  one  was 
left..  The  messenger  told  Br.  David  they  had  sought  to 
make  such  an  expedition  as  in  Gnadenhiitten,  but  came  oflT 
worsted. 

Friday,  14.  To-day  and  for  several  days  all  sorts  of  ru- 
mors have  been  flying  about  and  many  preparations  made 
for  war.  In  a  ship  from  Sandusky  the  Conners  came  here 
with  their  children ;  they  had  to  come  on  account  of  the 
unrest  caused  by  war.  Of  our  Indians  we  heard  that  they 
were  all  with  the  Shawanese  and  had  received  the  message, 
both  Br.  David's  letter,  and  the  commandant's,  and  are  yet 
awaited  here. 

Sunday,  16.  We  read  together  a  discourse  of  the  sainted 
disciple  from  the  extracts  about  Matthew's  Gospel. 

Tuesday,  18.  We  again  had  some  news  of  our  Indians 
from  two  prisoners,  that  they  all  lived  by  themselves  to- 
gether in  one  town,  had  built  houses  and  planted,  that  as 
soon  as  they  could  be  ready  they  would  come  here. 

Saturday,  22.  During  the  week  we  have  heard  on  every 
hand  rumors  that  do  not  much  concern  us.  We  daily  saw 
many  Chippewas  and  Tawas,  some  of  whom  at  times  vis- 
ited us.  Their  speech  has  much  likeness  with  the  Dela- 
wares,  and  we  wished  our  Indians  might  soon  come.  Who 
knows  whether  the  Saviour  may  not  gain  some  of  these, 
for  among  them  the  priests  here  have  found  no  reception. 

Sunday,  23.  Br.David  preached  to  a  number  of  prison- 
ers, men  and  women,  in  English,  and  baptized  a  child, 
Elias  Schmidt.     Many  were  right  glad  to  hear  a  sermon 


IN   DETROIT,    1782.  97 

again,  and  wished  to  do  so  oftener  if  only  we  had  a  place 
or  house  suitable. 

Wednesday,  26.  Br.  David  spoke  with  the  command- 
ant, from  whom  he  sought  information,  but  he  had  not  yet 
heard  from  our  Indians  that  they  were  coming;  he  had 
learned  nothing  about  them,  and  wondered  at  it.  Br. 
David  told  him  his  concern  about  the  matter,  namely,  that 
white  people  in  the  bush  among  the  Indians  held  them 
back  and  would  make  them  cautious  about  coming  here. 
Whereupon  he  answered,  he  did  not  expect  that,  for  he 
had  expressly  written  to  them  to  send  our  Indians  here. 
Thus  he  believed  they  would  come  when  first  they  had 
planted.  He  said  further,  we  should  not  think  that  he  in 
any  way  put  us  off  with  fine  promises  and  wished  to  make 
things  appear  other  than  they  were ;  he  was  honorable  and 
upright  towards  us,  and  he  had  promised  us  in  the  first 
place  to  do  for  ns  what  was  in  his  power,  that  we  might 
continue  our  work  among  the  Indians.  Br.  David  an- 
swered we  had  not  the  least  doubt  about  him,  but  that 
there  were  people  who  found  pleasure  in  ntterly  ruining 
our  mission,  and  were  not  fully  content  with  what  they 
had  already  done.  He  said  he  saw  very  well  we  had  many 
enemies  among  the  Indians,  and  it  was  good  luck  for  us 
that  we  came  here  betimes,  for  he  had  good  grounds  for 
believing  that  at  this  time  we  should  not  have  been  safe 
among  the  Indian  people,  certainly  we  should  all  have  per- 
ished had  we  remained  in  Sandusky;  that  he  had  also 
heard  that  our  Indians  were  reported  to  have  said  [but  to 
this  he  paid  little  regard]  that  if  they  knew  their  teachers 
were  sent  home  they  would  go  to  the  war  too,  but  since 
we  were  yet  here  in  Detroit,  could  not  do  so.  Br.  David 
answered  him:  there  could  be  some  bad  young  men  who 
wished  to  go  to  the  war;  against  that  he  would  not  con- 
tend, but  from  this  no  conclusion  was  to  be  drawn  about 
the  whole,  for  among  such  a  number  of  people  there  might 
well  be  some  bad  people,  and  this  could  hardly  be  avoided. 

Sunday,  30.   We  read  together  a  discourse  of  the  sainted 
disciple,  from  the  text :  Immanuel,  God  with  us.     A  Ger- 
7 


98  zeisberger's  diary. 

man  soldier  asked  to  borrow  a  book  from  us,  to  whom  we 
gave  one  of  the  sainted  disciple's  printed  discourses,  as  we 
bave  several  times  alreadvleut  to  others.  It  is  sometbina; 
wonderful  here  and  pleasant,  if  any  one  is  found  who 
shows  a  desire  for  God's  word,  for  the  place  here  is  like 
Sodom,  where  all  sins  are  committed.  The  French  have 
indeed  a  church  here  and  a  priest,  who,  however,  is  quite 
old,  and  never  preaches,  but  merely  reads  mass.  On  the 
south  side  of  the  river  are  also  a  church  and  a  priest,  where 
both  French  and  Indians  go,  there  to  be  seen  in  their 
heathenish  garb,  with  painted  heads  in  full  war-array. 
But  the  English  and  Protestants  have  neither  church  nor 
preacher,  and  wish  for  neither,  although  they  could  have 
them  if  they  would.  The  Indians  wonder  at  this,  as  is 
natural,  for  they  see  among  the  so-called  Christians  no  good 
examples,  but  bad  alone.  The  Wyandots,  though  already 
baptized,  are  not  only  heathen,  but  much  worse  than  many 
heathen,  much  more  savage  and  blood-thirsty,  for  the 
Chippewas,  none  of  whom  is  baptized,  are  much  more 
humane  and  kindly  disposed  towards  their  fellow-men,  and 
are  much  easier  to  get  along  with. 

Sunday,  7.  Br.  David  preached  in  English  in  a  French- 
man's house,  who  offered  it  to  us  from  seeing  that-  the 
place  where  preaching  usually  was,  was  too  small,  and  a 
fine  number  came  together,  mostly  prisoners. 

Monday,  8.  At  last,  after  long  waiting,  we  had  the 
pleasure  of  welcoming  here  with  us  two  families  of  our  In- 
dian brethren,  namely,  Samuel  Nanticoke  and  Adam,  with 
their  wives  and  children.  Tiiey  left  behind  two  or  three 
families,  namely,  Abraham,  Zachary,  Thomas,  who  also 
are  already  on  the  way  here.  They  came  from  the  Shaw- 
anese  towns,  where  most  of  the  brethren  live  together,  and 
have  planted.  Our  Indians  had  received  both  Br.  David's 
letter  and  the  major's  message,  and  were  joyful  over  them, 
had  likewise  resolved  to  make  ready  at  once  and  to  come 
here.  But  since  from  the  want  of  supplies  for  the  journey 
[for  they  suffer  great  hunger],  they  could  not  at  once  put 
this  in  execution,  they  were  made  to  hesitate  by  Indians 
who  went  there  from  here,  who  told  them  as  a  fact  we 


.     IN  DETROIT.  1782.  99 

were  no  longer  in  Detroit,  but  were  sent  down  the  country; 
this  the}'^  had  not  merely  heard,  but  with  their  own  eyes 
had  seen  us  go  aboard  ship  and  sail  away.  This  caused 
their  journey  to  be  given  up.  But  their  brethren  would 
not  rest  content  with  this,  but  wished  to  be  certain,  to 
come  here  and  see  for  themselves  whether  we  were  yet 
here  or  not.  They  were  not  less  rejoiced  than  we  to  meet 
us  here.  The}^  said  to  us  they  could  find  no  rest,  and  it 
had  not  been  well  with  them  since  we  left  them;  they  were 
forty  days  on  the  journey,  had  suffered  great  hunger,  so 
that  a  sister  once  nearly  wasted  away  from  hunger.  We 
soon  gave  them  enough  to  eat,  and  Br.  David  informed 
the  major,  and  got  an  order  for  them  to  draw  provisions. 
ISTow  we  wished  to  see  here  only  our  dear  old  Abraham. 

Wednesday,  10.  With  our  Indians  who  have  built 
their  huts  near  our  house  we  had  this  evening  some  sing- 
ing. This  was  to  all  people  something  extraordinary, 
which  in  the  case  of  Indians  they  had  never  seen  nor 
heard.  Many  came  and  were  present.  Others,  since  it 
was  in  the  street  outside  the  town,  stood  still  as  they  were 
going  by;  others  again  got  upon  the  palisades  in  the  ship- 
yard and  listened,  but  no  one  made  any  disturbance. 

Thursday,  11.  There  came  another  of  our  Indians,  Jo- 
seph by  name,  who  had  arrived  with  warriors,  but  had 
known  nothing  about  us,  that  we  are  here.  He  had  left 
our  Indian  brethren  nine  days  ago,  and  said  most  of  them 
were  rather  listless  and  in  doubt  about  ever  seeing  us 
again  ;  but  if  they  should  learn  that  we  were  here,  and 
that  they  would  again  be  with  us,  most  of  them  would 
come  here ;  he  knew  also  many  who  had  no  thought  of 
coming.  He  begged  on  his  own  account,  saying  :  "  You 
see  well,  my  brethren,  that  I  no  longer  look  like  a  brother 
[for  he  was  painted  like  a  savage].  I  had  already  quite 
given  up  the  hope  of  ever  again  having  the  opportunity 
of  hearing  God's  word,  as  most  of  us  have,  and  so  I 
thought  I  must  get  favor  with  the  savages  and  make  my- 
self like  them,  so  as  not  to  be  persecuted,  but  so  soon  as  I 
saw  that  the  Indian  brethren  came  together  again,  and 


100  zeisberger's  diary. 

that  the  brothers  are  with  them,  I  wished  to  beg  you  to 
receive  me  again." 

We  did  not  fail  to  give  our  Indian  brethren  news  of  us 
as  often  as  we  had  a  chance,  and  a  week  before,  by  some 
white  prisoners  who  went  there,  we  had  again  sent  them 
word,  and  yesterday  Conner  also  was  dispatched  there  on 
business  by  the  commandant,  and  him  we  ordered  to  give 
exact  information,  so  that  we  expect  most  of  them  ;  but 
it  requires  time  and  patience,  for  they,  with  their  families, 
must  get  through  with  great  trouble  and  accomplish  it 
with  the  Indians,  for  they  have  nothing  to  live  on.  We 
did  not  doubt,  however,  that  many  of  them  were  fallen 
into  error,  for  many  have  already  departed  and  are  scat- 
tered. Besides  they  are  in  danger  from  these  wolves,  since 
the  Shawanese  and  Delawares,  whose  neighbors  they  are, 
will  not  let  them  go,  if  they  hear  they  wish  to  come  again 
to  us;  they  will  not  permit  the  brothers  to  be  again  with 
them,  to  which  they  now  think  they  have  put  an  end. 

By  ships  in  from  Fort  Erie  the  cheerful  news  comes  that 
an  armistice  has  been  concluded  and  that  there  is  hope  of 
speedy  peace,  wherein  we  had  more  interest  and  joy  than 
the  inhabitants  here  showed. 

Saturday,  13.  Since  now  two  families  of  our  Indians 
have  come  to  us,  who  altogether  make  fourteen  persons, 
and  according  to  every  appearance  we  can  not  soon  expect 
more,  for  we  understand  that  our  Indians  are  very  incred- 
ulous about  finding  us  here  and  have  let  their  courage  fall, 
we  considered  together  for  and  against,  whether  it  were 
good  and  practicable  to  go  with  them,  the  two  families  of 
Indian  brethren,  to  the  place  appointed  for  us,  or  whether 
we  should  not  wait  for  them  and  delay  until  more  came. 

In  order  then  to  cause  ourselves  no  unnecessary  trouble 
and  difiiculty,  not  to  build  upon  uncertainty,  and  not  to 
do  any  thing  in  doubt,  we  asked  the  Saviour's  advice 
therein,  and  he  let  us  know  that  his  good  pleasure  is  that 
we,  with  the  two  families  of  Indian  brethren,  should  be- 
take'ourselves  to  the  appointed  place  as  soon  as  possible. 
This,  his  gracious  advice,  was  not  only  quite  according 
to  our  own  wish,  but  we  were  heartily  thankful  therefor, 


IN    DETROIT,    1782.  101 

and  now  we  could  set  to  work  with  comfort  and  confi- 
dence, in  case  difficulties  should  arise,  especially  from  the 
Chippewas,  we  are  so  few:  thus  we  knew  the  Saviour's 
will.     [Evening  service.] 

Sunday,  14.  There  came,  about  half-past  one,  a  hun- 
dred Chippewas  from  Michilimackinac,  who  were  sum- 
moned here  to  go  to  the  war.  They  were  welcomed  by 
the  discharge  of  three  cannon  from  the  Fort.  This  is  no 
token  of  an  armistice  with  the  Indians. 

At  the  meeting  with  our  Indians  from  to-day's  Scripture- 
verse  :  The  people  that  walked  in  darkness  have  seen  a 
great  light;  this  meeting  we  held  daily  in  the  open  air 
from  want  of  other  place.  Many  white  people  came,  and 
all  were  attentive. 

Monday,  15.  Br.  David  made  an  early  visit  to  the  com- 
mandant, to  whom  he  announced  our  intention  to  move 
with  our  Indians  into  the  bush,  and  to  this  end  begged  his 
aid.  Since,  however,  he  was  getting  off  ships  and  also  In- 
dians, and  had  other  pressing  business  to  attend  to,  he 
bade  us  have  patience  until  he  had  accomplished  what 
was  most  necessary;  he  hoped  in  a  couple  of  days  to  be 
able  to  see  to  us,  and  then  he  would  undertake  and  de- 
spatch our  affairs.  We  again  sent  a  message  to  our  In- 
dians by  Delawares,  that  we  were  going  with  those  now 
here  into  the  bush,  and  that  we  awaited  them  with  long- 
ing hope.  We  learned  by  experience  that  either  they  did 
not  give  our  message  at  all,  or  indeed  gave  quite  the  op- 
posite of  it,  that  our  Indians  might  not  come  here.  This 
evening  unexpectedly,  to  the  hearty  joy  of  us  all,  came 
our  old  Indian  brother,  Abraham,  to  us  with  one  more 
family.  We  had  always  wished  this;  if  only  he  would 
come  before  our  departure  we  should  be  comforted,  and 
now,  praise  be  to  God,  we  begin  our  mission  anew,  with 
four  families  of  Indian  brethren,  a  plain  and  simple 
beginning,  but  we  have  no  doubts,  for  the  Saviour,  whose 
own  affair  it  is,  the  honor  and  the  shame,  he  will  bless  and 
prosper  us  in  accordance  with  the  promise  in  our  Scripture- 
verse  of  to-day  :  Yet.  will  I  gather  others  to  him  besides 
those  that  are  gathered  unto  him.     On  this  day,  and  with 


102  zeisberger's  diary. 

this  Scripture-verse,  a  yeai'  ago  Brs.  David  Zeisberger, 
and  Jungmann,  witli  their  wives,  arrived  from  Bethlehem 
at  Schonhrunn  on  the  Mnskingura. 

Thursday,  18.  Br,  David  went  again  to  the  major  to 
speak  with  him  about  our  departure.  He  was  exceedingly 
inclined  to  be  helpful  to  us  in  every  way  with  what  was  ■ 
needful.  He  gave  us  at  once  a  written  order  to  draw  from 
the  king's  store  tools,  provisions,  and  whatever  we  needed, 
and  our  Indians  were  not  forgotten  either;  on  their  ac- 
count he  gave  a  separate  written  order  for  all  that  Br. 
David  told  him  to  be  necessary  for  them,  all  which  they 
took  and  provisions  besides.  When  Br.  David  told  him  at 
the  same  time  that  two  more  families  were  come,  and  that 
we  expected  others  soon,  this  was  pleasant  both  for  him 
and  for  his  lady  to  hear.  She  provided  us  also  with  seeds 
of  all  sorts  for  planting,  and  the  major  was  so  good  as  to 
lend  us  his  own  boat,  with  sails,  to  go  away  in,  and  gave 
us  besides  a  large  canoe  to  keep  for  our  own  use. 

Br.  David  spoke  particularly  with  him  about  the 
French  priests,  asking  whether  we  were  likely  to  have  from 
them  any  care  or  trouble,  and  whether  they  could  not 
put  some  difliculty  in  our  way ;  it  was  not  the  business  of 
the  brethren  to  interfere  in  other  people's  work,  and  to 
labor  for  Indians  who  were  already  under  the  care  of  others, 
but  we  by  far  preferred  to  have  to  do  with  those  who  had 
not  yet  heard  of  the  gospel,  as,  for  instance,  the  Chippe- 
was;  since  now  they  Would  be  our  neighbors,  it  might 
happen  that  some  of  them  would  receive  the  gospel,  and 
the  French  priests  would  conceive  suspicion  and  jealousy 
of  the  brethern,  therefore  Br.  David  wanted  to  tell  him 
this  beforehand  to  avoid  all  misunderstandings.  The 
major  answered  that  we  should  be  easy  about  this ; 
the  priests  should  not  be  hard  and  troublesome  to  us, 
and  should  they  put  obstacles  in  our  way,  the  thing 
would  touch  him  and  they  must  arrange  it  with  him.  At 
our  evening  meeting  many  Frelich  and  English  were 
present. 

Friday,  19.  We  prepared  for  our  journey.  Our  Scrip- 
ture-verse read  :    Thy  children  shall  make  haste.    We  had. 


CLINTON   RIVER,    1782.  103 


from  the  first  resolved  that  Brs.  Heckewelder  and  Sense- 
man  should  stay  here  with  the  children,  and  at  the  same 
time  help  forward  such  of  our  Indians  as  might  arrive 
from  time  to  time. 

Satnrdav,  20.  We  set'out  with  four  families  of  Indian 
brethren,  namely:  Brs.  Zeisberger  and  Jungmann,  with 
their  wives,  two  unmarried  brethren,  Wm.  Edwards  and 
Michael  Young,  with  the  Indian  brethren,  Abraham  and 
Anna,  Samuel  and  Sara  JSTanticoke,  Adam  and  Sabina, 
Zachar}'',  and  Anna  Elizabeth,  and  eleven  children,  among; 
them  two  great  girls,  in  all  19  Indian  souls.  Our  neigh- 
bors, prisoners  from  Kentucky,  who  during  our  stay  here 
had  been  with  us  daily,  were  sorry  to  lose  our  companion- 
ship, even  were  so  much  affected  as  to  weep  for  us.  Three 
miles  from  the  city  we  came  to  an  island  where  we  took 
aboard  our  two  pilots,  who  were  to  conduct  us  to  the  ap- 
pointed place.  Towards  noon,  with  a  good  wind,  we  came 
into  Lake  St.  Clair.  At  the  upper  end  of  this  lake  Gov. 
St.  Clair,  at  present  Governor  in  jSIichilimackinac,  holds 
lands  and  estates.  Since  we  sailed  out  in  the  lake  far 
from  land,  we  fastened  the  two  canoes  in  which  most  of  the 
Indians  were,  to  our  boat,  in  order  to  be  able  to  protect 
them  in  case  a  strong  wind  should  arise,  and  so  we  reached 
the  land  in  the  evening,  when  it  was  already  dark.  But 
we  were  in  no  condition  to  land,  notwithstanding  we  tried 
our  best,  on  account  of  the  marsh  which  stretches  along 
the  shore  far  into  the  lake.  Besides,  on  account  of  the 
mosquitoes,  we  could  not  stay  in  the  marsh,  and  must  con- 
sequently sail  out  into  the  lake  and  pass  the  night  in  the 
boat.  Our  pilots  could  not  recognize  the  place  because  it 
was  night  and  were  uncertain  in  their  reckoning.  The 
wind  blew  somewhat  hard  till  midnight,  and  we  were  in 
fear  a  gale  would  spring  up,  but  afterwards  it  became  more 
calm,  and  we  rested  until  morning. 

Monday,  21.  When  it  was  day  the  pilots  recognized  the 
land,  that  we  yet  had  the  mouth  of  the  Huron  river  before 
us,  and  not  behind  us,  as  they  had  thought.  We  ran  up 
there  this  forenoon,  and  after  landing,  cooking  something, 
and  refreshing  ourselves,  we  went  all   day  up  the  river. 


104  zeisberger's  diary. 

From  Detroit  our  coarse  was  north-east  as  far  as  the 
Huron  river,  then  north-west.  The  river  is  very  deep, 
with  hardly  any  current,  so  that  oars  have  to  he  used.  In 
the  evening  we  came  to  the  place  appointed  for  us  to  set- 
tle in,  and  encamped,  but  were  welcomed  by  mosquitoes 
and  so  badly  treated  that  we  had  little  rest,  although  we 
made  a  fire  round  about  us,  so  that  the  air  was  filled  with 
smoke  and  steam.  Thus  far  we  have  found  no  place  sat- 
isfactory to  us,  for  all  the  land  we  have  seen  is  too  low, 
swampy,  and  exposed  to  overflow,  though  we  landed  sev- 
eral times  and  examined  several  places.  Besides  we  did 
not  dare  to  settle  within  a  distance  of  eight  miles  from  the 
lake,  for  the  land  both  sides  of  the  river  belongs  to  some 
Detroit  merchants.  We  did  not  wish  so  to  do  cither,  for 
it  was  no  place  for  us.  Since  now  the  place  of  our  encamp- 
ment, which  the  pilots  had  assigned  us,  did  not  quite  please 
us,  though  indeed  it  lies  higher  than  all  the  land  we  have 
seen  here,  and  is  also  good,  rich  soil,  we  examined,  the 
22d,  further  up  the  creek,  and  found  on  the  south  side  of 
the  river  a  fine  place  to  lay  out  a  town  on  a  height,  not 
inferior  to  that  at  Schonbrunn,  and  it  has  the  same  slope, 
according  to  the  compass,  and  the  course  of  the  river, 
which  Schonbrunn  had. 

On  the  north-east  side  of  the  town,  between  the  river 
and  the  height,  there  are  many  springs  along  the  height, 
which  in  separate  little  brooks  flow  into  the  river,  and  have 
exceedingly  good  water,  which  in  this  country  is  a  rare  and 
unusual  thing.  The  land  on  the  site  of  the  town  is  sandy, 
which  is  a  token  [and  therefore  the  more  pleasant  to  us] 
that  it  is  not  wet  and  marshy,  as  is  nearly  all  the  land  in 
this  countr}'.  The  bottoms  or  lowlands  are  very  rich,  but 
very  thickly  overgrown  with  heavy  timber.  The  common 
kinds  of  trees  are  oak,  poplar,  linden,  walnut,  ash,  hick- 
ory, elm,  beech,  and  a  great  number  of  sugar-trees  and 
wild-cherry  trees,  which  have  a  fine  red  wood,  of  which  in 
Detroit  the  most  beautiful  cabinet-work  is  made,  and  which 
is  much  finer  than  walnut.  There  are  asps  and  sassafras, 
these  last  of  such  thickness  as.we  had  nowhere  seen  before,  so 
that  boards  two  feet  wide  could  be  cut  from  them.     The 


CLINTON   RIVER,    1782.  105 


uncommon  height  of  the  trees  shows  us  that  this  is  no  cold 
climate.  Hills  there  are  none,  but  everywhere  the  land  is 
flat.  There  are  stones  in  the  creek,  but  only  a  few,  else- 
where none.  The  hunting  is  good,  and  our  Indians  shot 
their  first  deer  to-day.  Thus  we  chose  this  place  before 
all  others  for  our  town-site,  as  the  only  one  in  this  neigh- 
borhood, and  we  went  there  to-day,  pitched  our  tents,  for 
heavily-laden  boats,  too,  can  go  even  to  the  fork,  a  half 
mile  higher  up  than  we  are,  and  canoes  much  farther.  We 
were  glad  and  thankful  to  have  found  so  good  and,  accord- 
ing to  all  appearances,  so  healthy  a  spot,  where  for  a  town- 
site  nothing  was  lacking,  and  we  could  lay  out  plantations 
both  sides  of  the  river,  as  we  pleased. 

In  the  evening  services  held  near  our  fire,  to-day's  Scrip- 
ture-verse was  the  subject  of  consideration  :  For  ye  shall  go 
out  with  joy  and  be  led  forth  with  peace.  With  a  mother's 
hand  leads  he  his  own.  It  is  still  another  advantage  that 
we  live  here  so  apart,  where  we  hear  nothing  of  what  goes 
on  in  the  world,  and  that  we  quite  alone  can  be  in  com- 
munion with  our  unseen  Friend,  whom  we  love  so  much. 

Tuesday,  23.  Last  night  there  was  a  heavy,  severe  thun- 
der-storm, and  a  tree  was  struck  hardly  a  stone's  throw 
from  our  huts.  Br.  Heckewelder  returned  to  Detroit  in 
the  boat  with  the  two  pilots  who  had  shown  us  the  way  to 
this  place.  We  at  once  made  preparations  to  plant  some 
vegetables,  the  plants  we  had  brought  with  us.  Thus  we 
did  the  following  days,  and  sowed  turnips  and  lettuce, 
planted  beans  and  some  garden  stuff,  though  it  was  some- 
what late  in  the  summer. 

We  found  manv  traces  that  a  lono;  time  a^o  an  Indian 
town  must  have  stood  on  this  place,  for  we  saw  many  holes 
in  the  ground,  which  were  now  indeed  filled  up,  but  quite 
recognizable,  in  which  the  Indians  have  even  now  the  cus- 
tom of  keeping  their  corn  and  other  property.  We  could 
also  quite  plainly  see  the  little  hills  where  corn  had  been 
planted,  but  where  now  is  a  dense  wood  of  trees  two  to 
six  feet  in  diameter.     Another  deer  was  shot. 

26.  We  built  a  hut  of  bark  to  store  our  supplies  in. 
We  live  in  tents  until  we  shall  have  built  a  house.     Br. 


106  zeisberger's  diary. 

Michael  Jung  caught  a  mess  of  fish,  the  first  caught  here. 
In  the  evening  was  the  service  and  consideration  of  our 
Scripture-verse  .  The  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  revealed. 
May  this  soon  happen  here,  where  all  is  yet  in  darkness, 
and  where  the  name  of  the  Lord  is  not  known — this  was 
our  hearty  wish. 

Saturday,  27.  We  marked  out  our  town,  in  the  first 
place  only  where  two  rows  of  houses  shall  be  built,  and 
the  street  four  full  rods  wide,  but  each  lot  has  three  rods 
front.  Indian  brethren  who  went  hunting  several  miles  up 
the  creek  came  upon  a  cedar-swamp  and  found  many 
traces  of  bears  in  the  same  neighborhood,  but  the  bush  in 
the  summer  is  so  wild,  overgrown  with  weeds  and  thick- 
ets, that  it  is  very  hard  to  get  through,  and  consequently 
is  not  then  good  for  Iranting,  for  the  game  gets  off  before 
a  man  has  sight  of  it,  and  the  mosquitoes  are  so  bad  as  to 
be  almost  intolerable.  We  are  very  much  incommoded  by 
them  here  day  and  night,  though  we  live  on  a  height 
where  the  wind  can  blow  somewhat,  and  though  the  bush 
is  not  so  thick  as  elsewhere ;  and  we  have  to  sit  in  a  thick 
smoke  if  we  wish  relief  from  them.  On  this  account  we 
have  not  so  fully  examined  the  country  as  we  have  wished. 
In  Detroit  no  one  is  acquainted  with  this  region,  and  the 
merchants  who  own  the  land  along  the  river  have  never 
seen  it. 

Monday,  29.  We  began  to  fell  the  woods  on  our  town 
site,  so  as  to  build  our  houses,  and  thereby  also  get  a  little 
more  air — a  protection  from  insects.  In  regard  to  snakes 
here,  there  are  very  few,  though  on  our  other  plantations 
usually  we  have  had  very  many ;  we  have  nowhere  seen 
fewer  of  them  than  here,  so  that  as  far  as  regards  them 
one  can  wander  about  the  bush  unconcerned. 

Tuesday,  30.  With  the  help  of  our  Indian  brethren  we 
got  together  the  timber  for  our  first  house,  which  to  be 
sure  was  quite  near  us,  and  yet  we  had  to  carry  it. 

Thursday,  Aug.  1.  Br.  David  wrote  to  our  brethren  in 
Detroit  by  some  Indian  brethren,  who  went  there  to  get 
provisions  in  exchange  for  baskets  they  had  made  here. 

Friday,  2.     We  began  to  block  out  the  first  house,  but 


CLINTON   RIVER,    1782.  107 

as  there  were  only  four  of  ns,  this  was  rather  hard.  When 
now  all  our  hunters  were  away,  so  that  we  could  expect 
no  fresh  meat,  a  deer  came  by  our  camp  to  the  creek, 
which  old  Br.  Abraham  shot,  but  which  our  heavenly 
Father  sent.  Br.  Abraham  expressed  his  thoughts,  and 
remarked  about  the  troubles- which  have  befallen  us,  say- 
ing ,  "  The  Delawares,  Shawanese,  Mingoes,  and  Wyan- 
dots,  who  live  over  the  lake,  have  heard  the  word  of  God  ; 
the  brethren  have  lived  with  them  and  announced  it  to 
them,  but  they  have  despised  it,  thrust  it  from  them,  and 
driven  away  the  brethren  who  have  announced  it ;  there- 
fore the  Saviour  has  taken  it  from  them,  and  will  give  it 
to  others  who  will  receive  it." 

Tuesday,  5.  Brs.  Samuel  and  Adam  came  from  the 
Fort  and  brought  us  letters  from  our  brethren  there,  from 
which  we  learned  they  were  well.  At  the  same  time 
we  heard  that  an  army  was  marching  to  the  Shawanese 
towns:  this  caused  us  to  think  much  about  our  brethren 
there  and  to  be  anxious  about  them,  and  to  wish  they  were 
with  us  out  of  danger. 

Saturday,  10.  This  week  both  we  and  the  Indian 
brethren  have  been  busy  cultivating ;  they  have  now  also 
made  the  beginning,  but  they  run  short  of  provisions,  for 
the  allowance  they  get  is  not  enough  for  them,  though  we 
manage  to  get  along  with  ours ;  therefore  they  have  to 
exert  themselves  to  get  the  means  of  life.  This  evening 
we  had  our  services  around  our  fire,  and  considered  our 
Scripture-verse,  praising  and  glorifying  the  name  of  the 
Lord  here  in  this  wilderness,  where  probably  it  has  never 
been  heard.  Thus  far  we  have  seen  no  strange  Indians 
here,  for  we  are  placed  quite  out  of  the  way. 

By  one  of  our  Indians,  who  came  from  Detroit,  we  heard 
that  another  attack  had  been  made  on  the  Shawanese 
towns,  and  inasmuch  as, our  Indians  are  in  that  quarter, 
having  planted  there,  we  were  very  uneasy  about  them, 
that  they  might  have  come  to  harm.  Afterwards, 
however,  we  heard  they  had  fled  and  were  scattered  in 
the  bush,  and  thus  none  of  them  had  been  injured. 
Though  we  live  here  so  remote  from  all  rumors  of  the 


108  zeisberger's  diary, 

world,  yet  Satan  can  not  rest  and  be  content  with  us,  but 
must  set  on  the  ill- minded  Indian  people  to  say  to  our 
people,  since  they  have  put  themselves  under  the  protec- 
tion of  the  English  people,  they  will  all  perish ;  had  they 
put  themselves  under  their  protection,  they  would  have 
been  safe  and  free  from  every  danger.  What  a  satanic 
and  barefaced  lie  and  what  wickedness  is  this  !  Have 
they  not  themselves  driven  us  away?  They  have  not 
rested  until  they  had  us  here.  Have  they  not  ruined  us 
and  our  Indians,  house  and  barn,  property  and  land,  and 
placed  us  in  the  greatest  misery,  so  that  we  must  have 
starved  and  miserably  perished  unless  also  the  dear  heavenly 
Father  had  again  mercifully  upheld  us  and  helped  us 
through  ?  One  would  think  they  would  be  content  to 
have  wreaked  their  vengeance  so  far  on  us,  but  no,  for 
since  they  now  see  that  they  can  not  accomplish  their  aim 
of  putting  us  out  of  the  way  and  of  killing  the  name 
of  the  Saviour  in  the  Indian  land,  but  that  we  shall  yet 
again  settle  down  and  assemble  and  moreover  outside  their 
bounds  too,  and  since  they  foresee  already  that  our  Indians 
will  follow  us,  they  bring  them  wicked  rumors,  threats, 
and  lies,  to  make  our  Indians  fearful  and  to  frighten  them 
from  coming  here,  though  they  are  the  causes  of  our  being 
here,  and  believed  that  here  there  would  be  an  end  of  us  ; 
therefore  they  are  now  scornful  and  angry  that  their 
schemes  have  not  only  not  succeeded,  but  since  their  eyes 
begin  to  open  and  they  see  that  they  will  indeed  have 
done  themselves  the  greatest  harm,  and  they  know  that 
their  nation  will  therefore  yet  come  to  nothing.  0,  what 
great  scorn  has  Satan  !  Perhaps,  however,  he  knows  he 
has  but  little  time. 

Sunday,  11.  Br.  Jungmann  preached,  and  in  the  evening 
Br.  David  had  an  hour  of  sons'  with  the  Indians. 

Wednesday,  14.  Several  of  our  Indians  went  again  to 
the  settlements  to  get  food,  by  which  opportunity  we  wrote 
to  our  brethren  in  Detroit.  When  they  came  here,  they 
were  so  starved  that  their  rations,  already  given  to  them, 
did  not  half  suffice,  though  they  got  the  same  quantity 
as  we.    Br.  Abraham  and  our  family  besides  yet  remained 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1782.  109 


at  home,  whom  we  for  the  most  part  have  to  maintain 
from  our  own  allowance,  and  we  do  it  willingly,  if  only 
we  have  enough. 

Friday,  16.  We  roofed  our  first  house,  and  we  have 
the  timber  for  a  second  building  already  on  hand. 

Tuesday,  20.  The  Indian  brethren  returned  from  De- 
troit. From  Br.  Heckewelder  and  Sensemann's  letters  we 
learn  that  they  are  well  in  Yankee  Hall. 

"Wednesday,  21.  Brs.  David,  Edwards,  and  Michael 
Jung,  with  some  Indians,  went  to  Detroit  to  get  sup- 
plies, and  also  to  bring  here  our  brethren  yet  there,  for 
now  we  have  some  food.  With  a  good  wind  we  got  there 
in  the  evening,  and  had  the  joy  of  welcoming  and  speak- 
ing with  the  Indian  brethren,  Mark,  William,  Isaac  Eschi- 
canahund,  and  Stephen,  who  got  there  day  before  yester- 
day from  the  Shawanese  towns  to  see  and  hear  how  it  was 
with  us.  Mark  told  us  he  had  been  negotiating  with  the 
Twightwees,  and  they  had  given  him  a  district  to  live  on. 
He  would  like  to  have  one  or  two  brothers  go  there  with 
him,  and  he  believed  all  our  scattered  Indian  brethren 
would  then  move  there.  We  had  to  refuse  him  this  ut- 
terly, since  for  the  time  no  brother  could  be  in  the  Indian 
•land,  for  the  Indians  would  not  permit  it,  and  no  one 
could  be  sure  of  his  life.     Mark's  wife  died. 

On  the  22d,  Br.  David  spoke  with  the  commandant  in 
their  behalf.  He  had  them  come  to  him,  and  invited  them 
to  come  here  to  us  with  all  our  Indians  and  to  remain  here 
until  there  was  peace,  for  here  they  would  have  liberty  to 
remain,  or  to  move  elsewhere  if  they  knew  a  better  place. 
He  promised  to  provide  them  with  supplies  until  they  had 
planted  and  could  supply  themselves.  Mark  promised 
him  that  thev  would  all  come  in  the  autumn,  but  we  had 
our  doubts  about  his  promise,  for  we  saw  his  position  and 
intentions,  w^iich  indeed  he  hid  as  far  as  possible,  and 
sought  merely  to  please  the  commandant  and  us  in  his 
words  so  as  to  get  gifts.  He  had  a  speech  from  the  Dela- 
wares,  Shawanese,  and  Wyandots,  who  had  dictated  what 
he  should  say  to  him,  but  since  we  saw  that  the  only  aim 
of  this  was  to  create  difiiculties  between  our  Indians  and 


110  zeisberger's  diary. 

him,  for  they  saw  the  commandant  to  be  our  friend,  and 
to  set  them  each  against  the  other,  we  forbade  him  to  de- 
liver this  speech,  and  this  so  remained. 

Br.  David  spoke  with  .the  commandant  about  supplies 
for  our  Indians  and  got  a  very  favorable  answer.  He  said 
we  must  not  think  he  had  put  us  where  we  must  suffer 
want;  he  wished  to  supply  both  us  and  our  Indians  with 
food  until  we  ourselves  had  a  harvest  and  could  supply 
ourselves,  and  that  we  might  have  no  reason  to  doubt 
about  this  he  read  to  Br.  David  a  letter  from  Gen'l  Haldi^ 
raand  (the  commander-in-chief),  received  two  days  before 
from  Quebec,  that  we  might  see  that  what  he  did  was  done 
with  his  approbation.  Since  it  was  said  that  another  gov- 
ernor would  come  here,  Br.  David  made  the  necessary 
arrangements  in  this  regard,  and  he  promised,  should  it  be 
necessary,  to  summon  Br.  David,  in  case  he  had  to  go 
away. 

In  the  evening,  we  had  with  our  Indians,  of  whom  a 
fair  number  was  present,  a  meeting  in  the  open  air,  outside 
the  town,  whither  also  many  white  people  came,  and  the 
singing  of  the  Indians  pleased  them  much. 

Saturday,  24.  We  took  leave  of  our  Indians,  who  are 
going  back  to  the  Shawanese  towns  to  their  friends,  and* 
we  bade  them  greet  all  our  brethren  there,  and  tell  them 
we  invited  here  all  such  as  were  troubled  and  in  perplexity 
about  their  salvation,  and  we  should  much  rejoice  to  see 
them  here,  the  sooner  the  better;  to  tell  them  also  what 
good  offers  the  major  had  made  to  them  here,  who  had 
besides  o:iven  written  orders  that  those  of  our  Indians  who 
come  here  should  have  supplies  given  them  on  the  Miami 
for  the  journey,  so  that  they  could  come  here,  and  this 
happened  too,  only  many  other  Indians  also  made  use  of 
it,  and  gave  out  they  were  our  Indians  that  they  might 
get  supplies.  We  set  out  then  to-day,  with  Brs.  Ilecke- 
welder  and  Sensemann  with  us — had  at  first  a  good  wind, 
but  in  the  afternoon  thunder-storms,  with  rain,  and  were 
compelled  to  pass  the  night  in  a  windmill  we  came  to, 
where  the  people  received  us  very  kindly. 

Sunday,  25.     In  the  evening,  we  came  through  Lake  St. 


CLINTON   RIVER,   1782.  Ill 

Clair  into  the  Huron  river,  and  remained  over  night,  but 
our  two  little  children  were  so  stung  by  mosquitoes  that 
in  the  morning  they  were  swollen  all  over.     We  arrived- — 

Monday,  26,  home  at  Br.  Jungmann's  and  sister  Susan- 
na's, who,  in  our  absence,  had  the  first  visit  from  the  Chip- 
pewas  since  we  have  been  here. 

Thursday,  29.  Brs.  Heckewelder  and  Sensemann  felled 
timber  to  build  them  houses.  Two  Delaware  women,  who 
came  here  visiting,  and  were  now  again  going  home,  gave 
Br.  Abraham  to  understand  that  they  should  like  to  live 
with  us  after  they  had  harvested  their  corn  on  the  Miami. 
To  them  we  said,  not  every  one  could  live  here,  but  only  they 
who  believed  and  wished  to  live  for  the  Saviour.  Our  In- 
dians were  bus}^  cultivating  the  land  at  this  time.  The 
unmarried  brethren  we  blessed  with  our  hearts  at  their 
feast-day,  and  we  wished  them  the  near  presence  of  the 
Saviour. 

Monday,  Sept.  2.  Brs,  Heckewelder,  Sensemann,  Ed- 
wards and  Michael  Jung,  went  to  Detroit  to  get  a  cargo  of 
boards,  which  the  major  gave  for  our  building. 

Tuesday,  3.  From  the  Scripture-verse,  which  we  had 
just  a  year  ago  this  day,  we  recalled  our  captivity, 
and  this  text  (Is.  Ixiv,  5)  has  the  Saviour  fulfilled,  for 
he  has  again  placed  our  leet  in  a  wide  space  after 
we  have  certainly  been  in  very  narrow  and  dangerous 
circumstances.  Thus  we  could  not  do  otherwise  than 
filially  thank  the  Saviour  for  his  wondrous  conduct 
of  us,  and  not  sufficiently  wonder  at  his  wise  leader- 
ship. Although  our  brethren's  calamity  on  the  Mus- 
kingum, where  so  many  perished,  is  always,  alas,  a 
stumbling  block  to  us,  so  that  we  must  think  if  only  that 
had  not  happened,  then  in  the  end  all  had  gone  well  and 
as  we  wished,  but  he  knows  best  why  he  has  allowed 
that  also. 

Frida}',  6.  By  the  brethren  who  came  back  from  De- 
troit we  had  news  that  a  new  governor  was  about  to  come, 
who  had  already  got  as  far  as  Niagara.  We  were  sorry 
to  lose  our  good  friend  and  benefactor.  Major  de  Peyster, 
for  we  could  not  know  how  his  successor  would  be  dis- 


112  zeisberqer's  diary. 

posed  towards  us.  About  peace,  however,  nothing  more 
was  heard,  but  the  contrary.  In  the  States  the  rangers^ 
and  Indians  do  great  damage,  and  a  short  time  since  have 
taken  prisoners  or  killed  over  two  hundred  in  Kentucky. 

Saturday,  7.  At  the  wedding-feast  we  had  a  service 
with  the  single  Indian  brethren.  He  made  himself  known 
to  us  and  blessed  us. 

Saturday,  14.  This  week  we  have  all  been  busy  in  the 
fields.  On  the  13th  we  congratulated  Sister  Jungmann 
upon  her  sixtieth  birthday.  We  have  had  much  rainy 
weather,  and  yesterday  the  first  frost,  which,  however, 
had  not  much  to  say. 

Sunday,  15.    Inasmuch  as  we  white  brethren  were  alone 
except  old  Abraham,  we  read  a  discourse  of  the  sainted  dis- 
ciple upon  the  text:     One  is  your  master  and  all  ye  are 
brethren. 

Friday,  20.  The  joyful  announcement  was  made  to  the 
brethren  that,  since  now  we  are  so  far  along  with  our 
house,  we  would  have  the  blessed  holy  communion,  which 
we  could  not  have  since  we  came  away  from  Sandusky, 
nor  with  the  Indian  brethren  since  we  came  away  from 
the  Muskingum.  In  Detroit  we  had  no  service,  for  we 
could  not  be  alone,  for  as  soon  as  they  heard  us  singing  all 
came  running  to  us. 

Saturday,  21.  We  had  a  love-feast,  and  afterwards  the 
hcly  communion  with  the  Saviour's  near  presence,  the  first 
time  in  this  place.  To  the  Indian  brethren  too,  five  of 
whom  were  present,  was  it  an  unspeakable  blessing,  which 
they  had  had  to  do  without  for  more  than  a  year.  To-day 
also  another  family  of  our  Indians,  six  in  number,  came 
from  Sandusky,  where  they  have  been  meantime.  But 
the  Indians,  as  we  hear,  took  all  conceivable  pains  to  keep 
our  Indians  from  coming  here,  and  lied  to  them  on  every 
hand  that  they  were  no  longer  safer  with  the  English  than 
with  the  Americans. 

Sunday,  22.  The  holy  communion  liturgy  was  read, 
afterwards  a  sermon,  and  in  the  evening  an  hour  of  song. 

^Led  by  Simon  Girty  at  Blue  Licks. 


CLINTON   RIVER,    1782.  113 

Tuesday,  24.  Chippewas  carae  in  who  went  through 
here  hunting.  All  who  have  thus  fiir  come  are  friendly 
and  very  well-hehaved. 

Saturday,  28.  Another  house,  Jungmann's,  was  roofed 
and  preparations  are  already  made  for  others. 

Sunday,  29.  Br.  Jungmann  preached  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  the  congregation  meeting  was  from  the  Scripture- 
verse,  and  after  the  collect  of  the  same  we  gave  ourselves 
anew  to  the  accomplishment  of  predestination  in  the  care 
of  the  Fattier,  in  the  bridegroom's  leadership,  and  in  the 
steady  impulse  of  his  spirit,  to  the  protection  of  the  angels 
of  whom  we  especially  thought,  and  we  were  heartily 
thankful  to  them,  as  also  to  the  Saviour,  for  their  service 
and  protection. 

Tuesday,  Oct.  1.  "We  remembered  that  a  year  ago  to-day 
we  arrived  in  Sandusky,  and  we  thanked  the  Saviour  and 
our  dear  heavenly  Father  for  the  gracious  oversight  which 
he  has  had  over  us.  With  Zachary  in  from  the  Fort,  came 
also  Stephen  from  the  Shawanese  towns,  who  brought  us 
news  that  he,  with  yet  another  family  of  eleven  persons,  had 
come  to  Detroit,  and  was  waiting  for  us  to  fetch  them  in 
a  canoe.  Adam,  whose  mother  is  still  there,  came  there 
with  him.  As  far  as  we  learn,  however,  few  of  our  In- 
dians are  coming  here,  for  Mark,  who  has  made  himself 
head  and  chief,  holds  back  all  who  would  come  here.  His 
falseness  and  treachery  come  to  light  now.  When  he  was 
hxtely  in  Detroit  he  spoke  so  beautifully  with  us  and  the 
major,  and  made  fair  promises  that  he  would  come  here 
this  autumn  with  all  our  Indians,  but  when  our  backs  were 
turned  he  has  changed  his  coat,  for  the  land  promised  him 
by  the  Twightwees,  as  he  said,  blinds  him,  for  I  sh*owed 
him  plainly  and  clearly  that  the  Indians  had  been  false  to 
them  often  enough,  not  only  about  property  and  goods, 
but  about  their  salvation,  had  been  their  ruin,  and  now 
they  were  not  content,  but  wished  to  betray  them  farther, 
80  as  to  have  them  in  their  power,  and,  if  possible,  to  ruin 
their  salvation.  To-day  and  yesterday  Sensemann's  house 
was  blocked  out. 
8 


114  zeisberger's  diary. 

Thursday,  3.  The  Saviour  took  home  to  himself  Eliza- 
beth, the  daughter  of  Ignatius  and  Christina,  two  years, 
ten  months  and  one  day  old  ;  she  was  buried  on  the  4th 
and  w^as  placed  the  first  seed  in  our  God's  acre,  which 
was  thus  dedicated,  a  beautiful  even  place  on  a  height,  the 
finest  we  have  anj^where  had.  To-day  Chippewas  came 
again  on  their  way  hunting,  from  whom  our  Indians 
bought  some  corn.  They  went  about,  looked  at  everj'- 
thing,  and  measured  as  well  the  height  of  the  houses  as 
their  size. 

Sunday,  6.  During  the  summer  the  little  daughter  of 
Ignatius  and  Christina,  born  the  3d  or  4th  of  June  of  this 
year,  in  Sandusky,  since  we  left  there,  was  baptized  with 
the  name  jSTaomi ;  she  was  the  first  to  be  baptized  here, 
and  this  baptism  was  especiall}-  accompanied  by  the  near- 
ness and  presence  of  the  Saviour.  In  the  afternoon  Chip- 
pewas again  went  through,  from  whom  our  people  bought 
some  supplies. 

Wednesday,  9.  Three  families  more  cane  to  us  from 
the  Shawanese  town  by  way  of  Detroit,  namely,  Stephen, 
Joshua,  with  their  families,  Magdalena  with  her  daughter 
and  the  widow,  Zipporah,  with  her  grandchild,Phoebe,  in  all 
eleven  persons.  We  learned  from  them  with  sorrow  that 
Mark,  who  has  made  himself  head-man  among  them,  and 
to  whom,  as  he  himself  said,  the  Twightwees  gave  a  tract 
of  land,  holds  back  the  brethren  who  wish  to  come  to  us, 
and  says  to  them :  that  he  looks  upon  this  invitation  as  a 
perfect  trap  for  them  ;  if  they  come  here  they  will  live 
north  of  Detroit,  and  permission  ever  to  come  back  would 
be  quite  cut  off  from  them ;  for  the  major  had  expressly 
said  to  them  that  this  would  last  only  so  long  as  the  war 
lasted ;  if  then  they  afterwards  knew  a  situation  or  place 
which  pleased  them  better  they  could  then  go  again 
where  they  pleased,  and  the  proposition  was  only  to  help 
them  for  the  present  that  they  might  live  quietly  and 
out  of  the  way  of  the  war.  These  brethren  have  come 
away  from  them  in  spite  of  all  opposition  and  threats 
and  are  come  here,  though  they  were  often  told  that  in  a 
short  time  they  would  all  perish,  for  all  who  came  here 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1782.  115 

had  nothing  else  and  better  to  expect.  Mark  informed 
the  brethren  that,  if  they  would  dwell  in  their  land  he 
wished  to  invite  their  teachers  there.  Those,  however, 
who  have  made  themselves  chiefs  among  the  Delawares 
said  to  him,  he  should  not  let  himself  fancy  he  could 
bring  us  there  again,  for  as  sure  as  we  came  again,  an  end 
would  be  made  with  us,  and  it  should  never  again  happen 
that  the  Gospel  should  be  preached  in  the  Indian  land  ; 
that  should  now  cease.  They  accused  us  white  brethren 
of  writing  to  Pittsburg,  and  of  making  the  Virginians  the 
proposition  to  bring  them  upon  Gnadenhlitten,  and  they 
slandered  us  with  many  more  accusations,  not  at  all  that 
they  really  believed  them,  but  from  wickedness  and  hatred 
towards  us.  In  spite  of  this,  however,  we  heard  of  several 
more  who  wish  to  come  here,  if  not  also  this  autumn, 
and  who  will  be  bad,  so  let  him  be.  In  Detroit  the  com- 
mandant gave  them  provisions  and  took  care  of  them 
fourteen  days  till  we  came  down  there.  By  them  he  sent 
word  to  Br.  David  that  he  wished  to  speak  with'  him  as 
soon  as  might  be,  and  that  he  had  received  letters  from 
London  for  us  which  he  did  not  like  to  put  into  the  hands 
of  any  body  else,  and  that  he  had  also  more  to  say  to  him. 
Two  Tutelee  Indians,  one  from  friendship  for  Shikellimy,^ 
came  with  them  here  from  Niagara.  They  said  the  believ- 
ing Indians  would  all  be  summoned  to  Niagara. 

Thursda}^,  10.  Br.  Heckewelder's  house  was  blocked 
out  so  that  we  white  brethren  have  now  four  houses  stand- 
ing, but  the  unmarried  brethren  have  as  yet  no  dwelling 
except  that  Michael  Jung  lives  in  a  bark  hut. 

vSunday,  13.  The  sermon  treated  of  the  wedding  gar- 
ment, Christ's  blood,  and  righteousness.  Those  who  have 
put  on  Christianity  will  stand  before  God  and  enter  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  with  joy. 

Monday,  14.  We  set  out  in  our  boat  for  Detroit,  and 
came  with  a  moderately  good  v/ind  over  Lake  St.  Clair, 
and  the  day  after,  the  loth,  in  the  forenoon,  we  arrived. 


^The  Iroquois  sachem  converted  at  Shamokin  (Sunbury,  Pa)  1748 
See  De  Scliweinitz'  Life  of  Zeisberger,  Chap.  VII. 


116  zeisberger's  diary. 

Br.  David  went  at  once  to  the  major,  who  was  glad  to  see 
him,  and  said  to  him  Jie  had  letters  for  us  from  London, 
which  he  at  once  gave  him,  saying  he  had  wished  himself 
to  deliver  them  to  him  and  put  them  into  the  hands  of  no 
one  else,  for  there  were  letters  of  credit  from  Mr.  La 
Trobe,  about  whom  he  asked,  and  Br.  David  told  him  he 
was  the  brethren's  bishop  of  London  and  of  all  England. 
Sir  John  Johnson,^  who  some  days  before,  by  way  of  Mich- 
ilimackinac,  had  come  here  and  had  also  gone  to  ISTiagara, 
brought  them  here.  The  major  said  to  Br.  David  that 
our  circumstances  and  the  calamity  caused  by  the  Amer- 
icans had  been  judged  in  London  in  the  severest  way. 
Although  this  was  truly  and  not  unjustly  judged,  Br. 
David  answered  that  much  might  have  contributed 
thereto,  since  they  had  yet  no  news  by  letter  from  us.  In 
the  spring,  to  be  sure,  as  he  was  aware,  he  had  written  to 
Bethlehem,  but  he  wondered  at  getting  no  answer  from 
them.  The  major  replied  that  he  had  provided  for  Br. 
David's  letter  in  the  best  way,  had  sent  it  to  Gen.  Haldi- 
mand,  and  also  written  to  him  that  he  had  himself  seen 
it,  and  had  no  scruples  about  forwarding  it.  Tliere  was 
also  with  him  an  officer,  Capt.  Potts,  who  has  been  in 
Bethlehem,  and  is  not  altogether  unacquainted  with  the 
institutions  of  the  brethren,  and  talked  much  with  Br. 
David.  At  last  the  major  asked  Br.  David  what  we 
thought  of  doing  now  we  were  come.  He  replied  that 
we  thought  with  our  Indians  of  taking  provisions  with  us 
for  the  winter,  while  the  weather  was  yet  passable,  not 
too  stormy  upon  the  lakes,  and  before  the  cold  came  on 
to  freeze.  He  said  that  was  quite  right ;  in  the  morning 
we  should  tell  him  the  number,  and,  as  regarded  the  In- 
dians, what  sort  of  supplies  were  most  suitable,  and  he 
would  give  orders  about  it.  Br.  David  took  leave,  went 
to  our  quarters,  where  we  refreshed  ourselves  by  reading 
the  letters  we  had  received  with  unbroken  seals.  We 
thanked  the  Saviour  for  the  sympathy  and  remembrance 
of  our  dear  brethren,  that  he  renewed  for  us  correspond- 


^  General  Superintendent  of  Indian  affairs  in  Canada. 


VISIT    TO    DETROIT,    1782.  117 

ence  with  them,  for  already  it  was  more  than  a  year  since 
we  liad  heard  from  them  or  they  from  us. 

"Wednesday,  16.  Br.  David  went  to  a  merchant,  Mr. 
Askin,  in  the  city,  who  is  connected  in  business  with  Mi*.  • 
Dchie,  in  Montreal,  and  whom  the  major  had  recom- 
mended to  us;  with  him  we  spoke  about  the  letter  of 
credit  we  had  received  and  showed  it  to  him,  and  asked 
whether  he  had  not  already  had  advices  from  Mr.  Dobie, 
in  Montreal.  Yes,  he  w^as  willing  to  advance  us  at  present 
what  was  necessary  until  he  had  written  to  the  merchant 
and  received  from  him  an  answer.  When  we  came  into 
the  city  we  were  welcomed  everj^where,  people  were  glad 
to  sec  us,  gave  us  good  wishes,  and  showed  themselves 
serviceable  to  us.  There  were  some  people  who  offered 
us  on  credit  or  upon  payment  to  provide  our  Indians  for 
fishing,  with  flour,  corn,  and  all  materials  in  the  winter, 
when  the  lakes  were  frozen,  an  important  matter  for  us, 
and  one  that  had  alwa^^s  interested  us.  Thus  our  heav- 
enly Father  cares  for  us  and  our  people  iu  all  circum- 
stances. 

Thursday,  17.  Br.  David  received  an  order  from  the 
major  upon  the  commissary  for  six  months'  provisons  for 
us,  that  is,  until  April  of  next  spring,  when  the  lakes  will 
again  be  open.  He  had  the  commissary  called,  and  gave 
him  the  order  in  Br.  David's  presence  to  give  not  only  us, 
but  our  Indians,  full  rations  of  the  best  provisions.  The 
boat  which  we  have  thus  far  had  at  our  disposal  he  let  us 
keep  for  further  use.  The  major  promised  to  visit  us 
this  Avinter  when  the  lake  is  frozen.  Br.  David  wrote  to 
Br.  WoUin,'  in  London,  and  the  major  undertook  to  for- 
ward the  letter.  By  a  white  man,  Avho  is  an  Indian  inter- 
preter, just  back  from  the  Shawanese  towns,  where  he  had 
seen  and  spoken  with  our  Indian  brethren,  we  learned 
that  most  of  them  would  come  to  us  this  autumn.  Will- 
iam had  charged  the  man  to  tell  us  this,  and  that  they 
could  no  longer  abide  there  on  account  of  the  wild  In- 
dians who  steal  all  they  have,  and  even  take  things  away 

'Mission  Agent  in  London. 


118  zeisbefger's  diary. 

by  force,  and,  as  it  seems,  circumstances  must  make  them 
glad  and  quite  willing  to  come  here,  though  most  of  them 
there  would  not  have  come,  for  which  there  may  be  many 
reasons,  since  they  have  grossly  sinned,  and  this  frightened 
them.    ' 

'  Friday,  18.  When  we  were  about  to  load  our  boat  and 
examined  our  cargo,  we  found  we  were  hardly  able  to  take 
it  in  three  trips,  and  the  commissary  so  told  the  major. 
He  thought  of  sending  with  us  a  second  large  ship  as  far 
as  the  mouth  of  the  Huron  river,  but  because  the  shipmen 
were  too  timid,  and  had  never  gone  to  this  neighborhood, 
they  did  not  like  to  venture  to  put  the  ship  in  danger; 
therefore  the  major  ordered  a  small  transport  to  carry  our 
things  there.  We  set  out  then  with  our  boat,  and  left 
Br.  Edwards  in  the  transport  that  came  after;  we  came, 
however,  since  we  had  windy  weather  only,  on 

Monday,  21,  home  to  our  brethren,  who  were  glad 
enough  to  see  us  again,  and  sympathized  in  the  joy  we 
had  in  getting  letters  from  our  brethren  in  London.  But 
hardly  were  we  arrived,  when  came  a  little  canoe,  which 
had  been  with  us,  but  could  not  keep  up,  and  informed  us 
that  the  transport  already  yesterday  evening  had  got  to 
the  mouth  of  the  river  and  was  waiting  for  our  boat.  We 
sent  then  Br.  Michael  Jung,  with  the  boat,  some  Indians, 
and  all  the  canoes  down  there,  to  unload  the  transport  and 
bring  the  things  here,  and  with  them  they  also, 

Tuesday,  22,  can:ie,  and  we  were  glad  that  now  the  jour- 
ney was  successfully  ended.  One  of  our  Indians,  Joseph 
by  name,  who,  since  spring,  had  lapsed  into  error,  came  to 
us  in  Detroit  and  begged  permission  to  live  with  us  again. 
His  wife  had  a  short  time  before  came  here  from  the  Shaw- 
anese  towns.  He  was  allowed  to  go  to  her  again.  So,  as 
we  hear,  are  others  among  our  people  situated  that 
man  and  wife  are  separated  and  that  disorder  is  among 
them.  The  Indians,  of  whom,  together  with  children, 
there  were  36  persons,  got  as  supplies  for  six  months  130 
bushels  of  corn,  19  barrels  of  pork,  and  some  little  flonr, 
so  that  they  are  as  well  provided  for  as  we  could  expect. 

Wednesday,  23.     We  again  went   to  work  upon   our 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1782.  119 

houses  to  finish  them,  and  the  Indians  did  likewise  and 
built  them  huts  for  the  winter  to  live  in.  Some  days  ago, 
while  we  were  in  Detroit,  the  weather  was  cold  and  it 
snowed,  but  now  it  is  again  fine  and  warm,  so  that  frogs 
are  heard. 

Sunday,  27.  Br.  Michael  Jung  preached.  We  must 
still  hold  our  daily  services  in  the  open  air  until  we  can 
build  a  shed  for  them,  and  this  can  now  soon  he  made. 
The  congregation  meeting  was  held  by  Br.  David,  and  he 
bade  the  brethren  think  about  a  meeting-house  as  soon  as 
possible. 

Monday,  28.  We  went  again  to  work.  The  late  cold 
weather  compelled  us  to  bring  all  our  houses  soon  under 
roof;  especially  for  the  sisters  and  children  is  this  quite 
necessary. 

Wednesday,  30.  The  holy  communion  was  announced 
to  the  brethren  in  a  separate  service.  The  Indian  breth- 
ren worked  during  the  week  on  a  meeting-house  for  us, 
which  they, 

Saturday,  ^ov.  2,  finished,  a  pretty,  and  for  the  time 
being,  a  spacious  house,  for  which  we  were  joyful  and 
thankful.  The  communion  brethren  received  the  holy 
sacrament  of  the  body  and  blood  of  our  Lord.  In  a  con- 
ference we  had  considered  about  the  Indian  brethren  who 
had  lately  come  to  us,  and  since  we  found  all  of  us  had 
anxiety  about  admitting  them  to  the  holy  conmiunion, 
we  asked  the  Saviour  about  each  one  of  them,  but  one  only 
had  permission  to  go  to  it,  namely,  Stephen,  who  enjoyed 
it  with  us  after  receiving  absolution  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands.  One  among  them,  Ignatius,  confessed  to  Br.  David 
his  sins  against  the  brethren,  his  teachers;  that  he  was 
among  the  guilty  and  had  aided  our  being  taken  captive, 
for  he  had  complained  about  us  to  the  chiefs  of  the  war- 
riors in  Gnadenhiitten,  that  we  had  always  written  let- 
ters to  Pittsburg ;  since  that  time  the  matter  had  always 
troubled  him ;  his  heart  had  accused  him  that  he  had  be- 
haved towards  his  teachers  in  a  cruel  and  treacherous 
way;  he  had  had  no  rest  until  he  again  came  to  us,  and 


120  zeisberger's  diary. 

now  that  he  was  here,  yet  he  had  an  uneasy  heart,  and 
could  not  be  content  until  he  got  forgiveness. 

Br.  David  answered  him  that  indeed  he  told  him  noth- 
ing new,  for  he  had  known  it  well  when  we  were  still  in 
Thuppekiink^  and  Gnadenhiitten,  what  he  did  and  planned. 
"  But  what  good  has  all  that  now  done  thee,  nor  hast  thou 
been  able  to  do  much  harm  to  me  and  us  white  brethren, 
but  thou  hast  thyself  the  greatest  harm  from  it.  Thou 
hast  put  thyself  in  misfortune  and  misery  outwardly  and 
inwardly.  Thou  and  others  like  thyself  gave  up  your 
teachers  into  the  hands  of  murderers  as  though  ye  would 
say  to  them:  do  with  them  now  what  ye  will,  and  had 
they  struck  us  dead,  it  would  have  been  quite  right  in 
your  eyes,  but  the  Saviour,  whom  alone  we  have  to  thank 
for  our  rescue,  and  not  you  at  all,  he  has  not  wished  a 
hair  of  our  heads  to  be  injured.  Since  now  thou  comest 
and  speakest  thy  heart  to  me,  I  speak  uprightly  with  thee, 
and  say  to  thee— thou  hast  great  guilt  lying  upon  thee, 
and  therefore  reason  to  seek  forgiveness  from  the  Saviour. 
Thou  seest  now  thyself,  with  the  savages  thou  canst  not 
remain,  and  to  be  with  the  brethren,  hast  thou  no  right- 
eous and  perfect  heart;  thus  art  thou  a  poor  man  whom 
I  must  pity,  therefore  give  thyself  entirely  to  the  Saviour, 
and  not  by  halves,  thus  art  thou  a  blessed  man." 

Sunday,  3.  Br,  Jungmann  preached  after  the  commun- 
ion liturgy,  and  David  held  the  congregation  meeting 
from  the  Scripture-verse:  He  said,  surely  they  are  my 
people,  children  that  will  not  lie:  so  he  was  their  Sav- 
iour. 

Tuesday,  5.  We  had  to-day  the  first  service  in  our  new 
chapel,  now  completed,  from  the  Scripture-verse :  The 
Lord  God  will  come  with  strong  hand,  and  his  arms  shall 
rule  for  him  :  behold,  his  reward  is  with  him,  and  his 
work  before  him. 


^  Thuppekiink,  the  Indian  name  of  Schonbrunn  oil  the  Muskingum, 
often  used  by  Zeisberger.  In  his  Dehuvare  spelling-book  Thuppeek= 
a  well  or  spring.  By  adding  the  locative  termination,  iink,  we  get 
Thuppekunk.  I  am  indebted  to  the  Hon.  Wm.  M.  Darlington,  of  Pitts- 
burs,  for  the  substance  of  this  note. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1782.  121 

"W^ednesday,  6.  "We  considered  in  our  conference  about 
Joseph,  who  came  for  the  second  time  and  asked  per- 
mission to  live  here.  Since  he  has  been  here,  we  have 
heard  he  was  present  at  the  horrible  murder  of  Col. 
Crawford,^  with  which,  in  Detroit,  all  are  much  displeased. 
When  reminded  of  this,  he  confessed,  but  begged  us  ex- 
ceedingly much  to  let  him  live  with  us.  Since  we  had 
great  reluctance,  at  the  very  beginning  of  a  new  settle- 
ment, to  admit  such  a  man,  and  j-et  had  compassion  with 
him,  for  he  said  he  knew  no  place  where  he  could  find 
rest  except  with  the  brethren,  and  if  he  went  away  would 
certainly  rush  to  eternal  damnation.  Then  we  asked  the 
Saviour,  and  he  told  us  to  let  him  go,  and  to  advise  him 
for  the  time  being  to  remain  elsewhere. 

Friday,  8.  The  child  of  Ignatius  and  Naomi,  six  months 
old,  which  died  yesterday',  was  buried.  The  weather  up 
to  date  is  still  fine,  pleasant  weather.  We  have  had,  to  be 
sure,  some  snow  come  already,  but  it  has  not  remained  a 
day.  The  wind  varies  here  as  elsewhere  in  all  places,  for 
on  the  Ohio  and  Muskingum  we  had  south,  west,  and 
north  winds,  but  seldom  and  almost  no  east  wind.  Other- 
wise the  difference  in  the  weather  here  and  there  is  not 
great,  but  in  Canada  below  it  is  said  to  be  very  cold  and 
very  different,  yes,  in  ISTiagara  it  is  said  to  be  colder  than 
here,  and,  considering  its  situation,  it  is  not  strange. 

Sunday,  10.  The  sermon  treated  of  the  advent  of  the 
Saviour  and  the  hope  of  believers.  Br.  Jnngmann  con- 
ducted the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse. 

Monday,  11.  Br.  Michael  Jung  held  the  morning  serv- 
ice about  the  Scripture-verse  :  Of  the  increase  of  his  gov- 
ernment and  peace  there  shall  be  no  end. 

Wednesday,  13.  We  went  early  before  our  Lord  and 
the  Elder  of  his  church,  begged  for  the  aspect  of  his  mercy 
and  the  forgiveness  of  all  our  sins  and  shortcomings 
which  we  had  been  guilty  of  towards  him,  which  were  first 
mentioned  and  brought  to  the  remembrance  of  the  breth- 
ren, especially  their  disobedience  to  him  and  his  servants, 

^See  Butterfield's  Crawford's  Campaign. 


122  zeisberger's  diary. 

whereby  they  had  brought  upon  themselves  great  hard- 
ship and  want,  which  they  need  not  have  had.  They 
were  incited  to  give  themselves  anew  to  him,  to  look  upon 
him  as  our  Lord  and  head,  to  vow  obedience  and  fidelity, 
and  to  beg  from  him  gracious  absolution.  This  did  Br. 
David,  with  the  hearts  of  all  the  company  and  in  the  name 
of  all.  He  heard  our  entreat^^  comforted  us  about  all  we 
had  not  done  according  to  his  mind,  and  sent  us  recogniz- 
ably his  peace.  "With  all  this,  however,  there  remained 
behind  a  certain  pain  about  the  past  in  our  hearts,  an  un- 
forgetable  pain,  which  always  urges  us  to  draw  nearer  to 
him. 

Thursday,  14.  Br.  Ileckewelder  held  the  early  service, 
and  on  the  15th  Br.  Edwards. 

Friday  15^  Our  Indian  brethren  went  out  hunting  for  a 
time;  at  home  only  old  Br.  Abraham  and  the  sisters  re- 
mained. 

Sunday,  17.  Instead  of  the  sermon  Br.  David  read 
to  the  brethren  something  out  of  the  History  of  the  Days 
of  the  Son  of  Man.^  Three  white  people  came  here  from 
the  settlements  on  their  way  hunting,  and  could  not  won- 
der enough  at  all  that  has  been  done  in  the  short  time  of 
our  living  here.  They  said  they  saw  very  well  we  were 
another  people,  that  could  be  seen  from  our  work  and 
from  what  we  purposed,  namely,  to  make  a  regular  settle- 
ment. Otherwise  no  road  passes  through  here  anywhere, 
but  the  place  is  quite  out  of  the  way,  except  that  the 
Chippewas  go  through  on  their  way  hunting,  and  then 
very  few. 

Tuesday,  19.  The  brethren  came  home  who  had  been 
hunting,  since  the  place  where  they  were  did  not  please 
them.  The  three  white  people  went  back  home,  who  will 
have  enough  to  tell  about  us,  for  they  have  taken  notes  of 
every  thing  they  have  seen.  ' 

Wednesday,  20.  The  laborers  had  a  conference  to- 
gether, and  considered  again  about  Joseph,  who,  in  spite 

^A  Harmony  of  the  Gospels,  narrating  the  history  of  Christ's  suffer- 
ings and  death,  and  containing  the  lessons  which  are  read  every  day  in 
public  service  during  Passion  Week. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1782.  123 

of  our  telling  him  he  can  not  live  here,  for  the  time  be- 
ing, persistently  begs  and  laments,  asking  to  be  allowed  to 
stay  here.  This  spring,  in  Upper  Sandnsky,  after  our  de- 
parture, he  took  part  in  a  horrible  and  awful  murder  (Col. 
CraAvford's),  whereto  he  was  led  by  the  savages.  The 
Saviour  showed  us  to  put  from  us  both  him  and  his  wife; 
this  was  done,  and  Joseph  took  leave  of  us  all,  and  begged 
we  should  not  altogether  throw  him  aside,  but  meanwhile 
think  of  him,  whether  the  Saviour  mio;ht  not  vet  have 
mercy  upon  him,  and  he  hoped  to  see  us  again.  We  could 
not  but  have  compassion  with  him,  but  we  hoped  all  this 
would  tend  to  his  good. 

Thursday,  21.  Some  went  by  water  to  the  Fort  and  the 
settlement  to  make  purchases.  The  Indian  brethren  went 
hunting,  but  thus  far  the  weather  has  been  bad  for  this,  for 
in  the  bush  it  lias  been  too  dry.  Snow  or  rainy  weather 
is  most  serviceable  for  this. 

Saturday,  23.  The  unmarried  brethren's  house  was 
roofed,  which  is  made  onl}'  ad  interim  for  the  winter;  now 
both  they  and  each  family  has  its  own  dwelling  and  lots, 
and  indeed  we  live  near  the  meeting-house  or  lot,  on  both 
sides  of  the  street.  Each  lot,  as  well  ours  as  the  Indians', 
is  forty-nine  and  one-half  feet  in  front,  but  each  can  take 
as  much  land  inward  as  he  chooses.  We  are  very  thankful 
for  the  exceptionally  fine,  warm  weather  at  this  time  of 
year,  which  we  had  not  expected.  It  is  pleasanter  than 
we  ever  had  at  this  time  of  year  on  the  Muskingum. 

Sunday,  24.  In  the  forenoon  was  a  sermon  about  the 
Saviour's  sermon  on  the  mount,  Matthew,  v. 

Wednesday,  27.  Chippewas  came  here  on  their  way 
hunting.  They  take  all  their  house  utensils  with  them, 
and  remain  away  the  whole  winter,  boil  sugar  in  the 
spring,  and  do  not  go  home  before  planting  time. 

Thursday,  28.  We  white  brethren  laid  out  plantations, 
that  daring  the  winter  we  might  prepare  and  clear  them, 
if  the  weather  should  be  tolerable.  We  hear  in  this 
place  too,  on  every  hand,  stories  and  threats  about  us,  and, 
as  it  seems,  the  end  is  not  yet.  Many  of  the  Delaware 
captains  said,  to  our  Indians  who  are  come,  here,  that  they 


124  zeisberger's  diary. 

had  thought  that  in  the  Indian  land  the  word  of  God 
would  cease  to  be  preached,  but  thej  saw  us  brethren  set- 
tling down  again,  instead  of  which  we  should  have  been 
banished.  They  wished,  therefore,  instead  of  going  by 
way  of  Detroit,  to  seek  us  out  straight  through  the  bush? 
and  to  kill  us,  in  order  that  once  for  all  they  might  be 
done  with  us.  They  said  to  our  Indians  in  the  Shawanese 
towns  not  to  allow  themselves  to  think  they  would  ever 
again  bring  their  teachers  there,  for  no  word  of  God  should 
again  be  heard  in  the  Indian  land,  they  should  resign 
themselves  to  this,  and  accept  heathenism  and  live  as  they 
lived,  and  as  sure  as  they  brought  their  teachers  there 
they  would  be  killed.  Here  can  be  seen  their  hostility  to 
God,  his  Vv'ord,  and  his  church. 

Sunday,  Dec.  1.  On  the  first  day  of  Advent,  Br.  David 
preached,  exhorting  the  brethren  to  give  their  hearts  to 
the  coming  of  our  Saviour,  that  they  might  rejoice  in  his 
birth,  to  receive  him,  and  with  joy  take  him  into  their  hearts, 
for  then  they  could  expect  many  blessings  from  him. 

To-day  came  back  some  Indian  brethren  who  liad  been 
to  the  settlements;  they  brought  word  that  another  at- 
tack^ had  been  made  upon  the  Shawanese  towns,  and 
three  of  their  towns  wasted  and  ravaged,  many  Indians 
thereby  perishing.  Since  many  of  our  Indian  brethren 
live  near  there,  this  news  caused  us  anxiety  about  them, 
that  at  least  some  of  them  might  have  been  affected,  but 
we  have  no  further  news  how  it  is  with  them,  and  we  ea- 
gerly wish  soon  to  hear  about  them.  We  heard,  however, 
that  ma]iy  of  our  Indians  stayed  there,  and  this  makes  us 
uneasy  about  them. 

Friday,  6.  Chippewas  came  here;  one  of  them,  a  cap- 
tain, asked  whether  some  one  did  not  understand  Shawa- 
nese. Abraham  brought  them  to  Samuel,  and  then  he 
said  to  our  Indian  brethren  that  their  chief  had  pointed 
out  and  given  to  us  this  country  to  live  in,  but  we  had  se- 
lected a  bad  neighborhood,  and  had  gone  by  the  good 
places  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  where  there  were  old 

^  Probably  the  expedition  under  Gen'l  Clark  in  the  Miami  Valley 
is  referred  to. 


CLINTON    RIVEE,    1782.  125 

towns  and  cleared  land  easy  to  plant;  they  did  not  see 
here  where  we  conld  plant,  for  all  was  bush  ;  if  in  the 
spring  we  wished  to  move  down  there,  we  should  be  wel- 
come. Our  Indians  gave  them  no  answer  until  they  had 
spoken  with  us.  But  the  reason  we  came  so  far  up  is 
that  the  major  had  pointed  out  to  us  the  distance  from 
the  mouth  of  the  river  to  this  place,  for  the  Chippewas 
had  given  that  land  to  white  people,  who  certainly  would 
not  have  objected  to  our  settling  and  cultivating  it,  but 
we  must  have  been  ready  in  a  year  or  two  to  vacate  it, 
and  thus  all  our  labor  would  soon  have  been  in  vain,  for 
we  must  always  have  been  pilgrims,  and  have  had  no 
abiding  home.  Thus  we  wished  to  be  sure  of  our  aftair, 
and  not  build  upon  another's  ground  and  land,  since  the 
country  is  not  yet  surveyed.  A  second  reason  why  this 
place  pleased  us  more  than  others  is  that  it  is  high  and 
dry,  for  all  the  land  further  down  the  river  is  very  low, 
wet,  and  unhealthy,  and  often  flooded.  That  there  is  no 
open  land  here,  but  that  all  is  bush,  is  indeed  true;  it  is 
thickly  grown  with  trees,  but  good  land,  and  not  hard  to 
clear ;  we  shall  find  a  place  where  we  can  plant,  and  for 
this  during  the  winter  we  can  prepare  much. 

Saturday,  7.  The  weather  has  hitherto  been  fine,  but 
lately  it  has  been  quite  cold.  The  river  ran  thick  with 
ground  ice  and  froze.  It  has  snowed  twice  already,  but 
the  snow  remained  not  long,  and  we  have  thus  far  per- 
ceived no  noteworthv  diff"erence  in  the  climate  between 
this  place  and  the  Muskingum. 

Sunday,  8.  Br.  David  preached  about  the  promises 
made  to  the  heathen,  and  Jungmann  held  the  congrega- 
tion meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse:  He  hath  made  my 
mouth  like  a  sharp  sword;  in  the  shadow  of  his  hand  hath 
he  hid  me. 

Tuesday,  10.  We  heard  from  Chippewas,  who  came 
from  th^Fort,  that  they  had  seen  Delaware  Indians  there, 
who  seemed  like  our  Indians,  for  they  were  not  painted 
nor  hung  about  with  wampum  and  silver.  We  thought  it 
possible  that  some  of  them  were  come  there,  and  we  con- 


126  zeisberger's  diary. 

sidered  about  getting  them  here,  or  learning  more  cer- 
tainly about  the  matter. 

Thursday,  12.  The  brethren  went  hunting  in  a  body 
together,  for  they  hunt  in  this  way;  they  form  a  half 
moon  or  circle,  and  go  through  a  district  where  the  deer 
come  within  shot  of  one  or  another.  Our  Indians,  however, 
had  to  learn  here  hunting  over  again,  for  thus  far  they 
have  not  been  very  lucky  in  it.  In  the  first  place,  they 
are  not  familiar  with  the  bush,  and,  secondly,  there  is 
nothing  but  level  land,  no  hill,  much  less  a  mountain,  to 
be  seen,  and  the  bush  very  thick  and  wild,  so  that,  if  the 
weather  is  not  clear  and  the  sun  not  shining,  they  very 
easily  get  lost,  and  this  has  happened  to  them  several 
times,  that  in  rainy  weather,  instead  of  going  home  as 
they  thought,  they  went  straight  away  from  home,  but 
by  good  luck  came  to  the  lake,  where  they  again  got  their 
bearings. 

Saturday,  14.  We  had  the  Lord's  supper,  and  tasted 
his  body  and  blood  with  hungry  and  thirsty  souls.  There 
w^ere  this  time  six  Indian  brethren  present,  namely,  four 
brothers  and  two  sisters.  One  sister,  Zipporah,  was  ad- 
mitted after  receivins:  absolution. 

Sunday,  15.  First  was  the  communion  liturgy  and  then 
the  sermon  by  Br.  Heckewelder.  Br.  David  held  the 
evening  service  from  the  Scripture-verse. 

Monday,  16.  Samuel  went  with  some  brothers  and  sis- 
ters to  the  Fort  to  get  some  necessities.  They  went  this 
time,  on  account  of  the  river  being  frozen,  straight  through 
the  bush,  which  way  two  Chippewas  had  come  over  two 
days  before.  Some  snow  was  on  the  ground,  and  they  fol- 
lowed their  tracks,  for  as  yet  they  are  not  familiar  with 
the  bush.     They  came, 

Thursday,  17,  back  again,  and  brought  us  news  that 
William  had  come  with  his  family  from  the  Shawanese 
towns  to  Detroit,  and  was  again  on  the  way  to  us.*  When 
now  we  heard  that  he  had  chosen  to  come  straight  through 
the  bush,  and  was  already  three  days  on  the  way,  we  were 
troubled  about  them  that  they  might  have  gone  astray; 
we   therefore   resolved  that  our  Indian   brethren  should 


CLINTON    RIYEE,    1782.  127 

search  for  lilm  the  next  day,  but  he  came  the  next  fore- 
noon  alone,  and   had   left    his  family  in  his  camp,  seven 
miles  from  here.     He  was  full    of  joy  when  he  came  in 
sio-ht  of  our  town.     He  remained  throus^h  the  day  with 
us,  telling  us  much,  and  he  gave  us  news  of  other  Indian 
brethren,  and  over  some  we   must  rejoice,  but  over  others 
be  sad.     We  heard  that  the   best  among  them  had  gone 
apart  and  passed  the  winter  some  distance  this  side  of  the 
others,  wishing  to  hunt,  that  in  the  spring  betimes  they 
might  be  on  the  way  here.     Mark,  however,  with  the  Mo- 
hicans, is  determined  not  to  come  here,  but  to  settle  in 
that    neighborhood   alone  with   the  wild    Mohicans,  who 
dwell  separately  thereabout.     He,  Mark,  is  already  fired 
with  a  chief's  affairs  and  will  be  a  great  man,  seeks  honor 
among  men,  and  will  harm  many,  for  if  any  of  the  Mo- 
hicans wish  to  come  here  he  does  not  let  them  come.    This 
he  already  had  secretly  in  mind  when  he  was  in  Detroit, 
and  spoke  with  us,  though  he  then  promised  us  he  wished 
to  come  certainly;  and  when  he  came  home  he  said  to  the 
brethren  :  "  Our  teachers  wish  no  longer  to  be  in  the  In- 
dian land,  and  I  say,  I  go  not  to  the  English  land,  for  that 
is  a  perfect  trap  for  us,  that  we  may  all   be  ruined  and. 
killed."     In  their  towns  it  is  said  to  be  more  wicked  with 
their  dances  and  worse  than  with  the  savages,  and.  those 
who  were   assistants   said  to  us,   they   dared   not   express 
their  mind  ;  thus  they  are  again  become  heathen.     It  may 
be,  however,  that  the  calamity  and  the  attack  upon  the 
Shawanese  make  a  change  in  their  reckoning,  in  which 
attack  three  of  their  towns  were  said  to  be  destroyed  and. 
348  killed  or  taken  captive,  and  that  they  will  be  made 
cautious.     [A  family  of  our  people  has  remained  there; 
whether  others,  we  know  not  yet.]     The  most  painful  and 
saddest  of  all  is  that  we   must  hear  that   some  sa}^  we 
were  the  cause  and  reason  of  so  many  Indian  brethren, 
their  friends,  losing  their  lives  in  Gnadenhiitten  ;  we  had 
called  the  white  people  there,  and  had  sent  letters  to  them. 
Sunday,  22.     Br.  David  preached  about  the  joy  of  be- 
hevers  in  the  incarnation   and  birth  of  our  Saviour,  and 
Br.  Seusemann  held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the 


128  zeisbehger's  diary. 

Scripture- verse  :  He  hath  sent  me  to  prodaim  the  accept- 
able year  of  the  Lord. 

Tuesday,  24.  We  began  Christmas  with  a  love-feast, 
the  first  for  two  years,  and  we  rejoiced  in  God  our  Saviour 
for  his  birth,  passion  and  death,  brought  him  our  filial 
praise  and  thanks,  and  adored  him  in  the  manger.  He 
blessed  us  anew,  and  brought  new  life  among  the  breth- 
ren, so  that  many  tears  were  paid.  him.  There  were 
together  fifty-three  of  us,  white  and  brown. 

Wednesday,  25.  Br.  Heckewelder  preached  from  the 
Gospel  about  the  announcement  of  the  angels  to  the  shep- 
herds and  to  all  mankind  that  we  should  rejoice  in  the 
birth  of  the  Saviour.  Thereupon  was  the  children's  hour; 
to  these  was  Jesus  in  his  manger  depicted,  while  they  rev- 
erently sang,  many  with  tears  in  their  eyes.  Br.  Jungmann 
held  the  congregation-meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse. 

Saturday,  28.  Chippewas  came  in,  who  are  encamped 
not  far  ofl:',  hunting.  Among  other  tilings,  they  examined 
our  labor,  where  we  wished  to  make  and  plant  our  fields, 
with  wonder  at  our  clearing  and  planting  such  wild  land 
and  so  overgrown  with  wood.  They,  on  the  contrary,  plant 
very  little,  but  live  mostly  from  the  bush,  hunting,  though 
they  like  to  eat  corn  and  bread.  If  they  can  not  have  these, 
then  they  fare  very  badly ;  they  gather  acorns  and  boil  them 
with  their  meat,  though  they  use  the  worst  sort  of  acorns. 
Towards  us  they  are  very  modest,  not  in  the  least  trouble- 
some, and  behave  in  a  very  orderly  way,  though  we  are 
in  no  position  to  give  them  any  thing  or  share  any  thing 
with  them,  for  we  have  ourselves  nothing,  except  what 
was  given  us  for  our  extreme  needs.  We  wish  that  the 
word  of  the  Saviour's  incarnation,  death,  and  passion 
might  once  find  acceptance  among  them,  that  their  hearts 
and  eyes  might  be  open  to  recognize  their  Saviour  and 
Redeemer,  who  loved  them  even  unto  death. 

We  heard  through  William,  who  has  lately  come,  that 
the  Delaware  chiefs  are  still  always  wrangling,  one  with 
another,  about  us,  asking  who  is  the  cause  that  our  In- 
dian church  has  been  so  badly  treated  and  ruined.  Here 
must  Pipe  have  the  blame.     They  are  consulting  about 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1782.  129 

the  others,  and  are  not  yet  done.  In  the  autumn,  at  a 
council,  they  said  to  Pipe  and  his  people,  when  they  were 
advising  how  they  should  use  the  hatchet  and  press  on  the 
war  most  advantageously :  "  Take  and  use  the  hatchet 
against  your  foes,  just  as  you  have  used  it  against  your 
friends,  the  believing  Indians,  who  have  done  nothing  to 
you  but  good,  and  have  not  once  raised  a  knife  in  their 
own  defence,  when  you  used  force  against  them."  The  same 
chiefs  who  said  this  try  to  treat  our  Indians  there  in  the 
finest,  best  manner,  and  earnestly  forbid  the  warriors  to 
do  them  harm,  and  wish  the  time  may  again  come  when 
they  may  again  have  their  teachers  with  them.  This,  how- 
ever, is  only  from  politic  and  not  from  worthy  motives,  for 
they  foresee  the  downfall  of  their  nation,  and,  moreover, 
that  all  our  Indians  who  are  here,  one  after  the  other,  are 
lost  to  them,  and  this,  indeed,  causes  them  much  auxiety 
and  perplexity.  They  seek  now,  by  kind  conduct,  to  prevent 
this,  for  by  their  cruelty  towards  us  they  have  done  them- 
selves the  greatest  harm,- but  they  are  now  well  aware  of 
what  they  have  done,  for  that  is  but  the  beginning. 

Sunday,  29.  Br.  David  preached  about  the  sonship  to 
God,  which  the  Saviour  got  for  us,  that  we  should  be  co- 
heirs with  Christ.  During  the  sermon  Chippewas  came, 
and  inasmuch  as  no  one  was  at  home,  but  all  were  at 
meeting,  they  gathered  together  some  distance  off  till  the 
sermon  was  over.  This  the  Delawares  would  not  have 
done.  They  go  into  houses  when  no  one  is  at  home  and 
steal. 

Tuesday,  31.  We  closed  the  year  with  praise  and  thanks 
to  the  Lord  for  all  his  goodness  and  for  the  kindnesses 
the  Saviour  had  done  us  in  rescuing  us  from  so  many 
dangers  and  in  being  so  heartily  interested  for  us,  but 
we  confessed  to  him  our  transgressions  and  shortcom- 
ings and  begged  forgiveness  of  all  our  sins.  The  brethren 
were  reminded  what  through  this  year  had  happened  to 
us,  and  in  what  sort  of  ways  the  Saviour  had  gone  with  us, 
and  how  he  finally  had  cared  for  us  and  made  a  way  for 
our  again  settling  and  coming  together.  By  the  relation 
9 


130  zeisberger's  diary. 

of  these,  our  affairs,  wliicli  had  come  to  pass,  many  tears 
were  shed.  "We  gave  ourselves  anew  to  the  Saviour,  to 
the  hlessed  care  of  the  Holj  Ghost,  to  the  protection  of 
our  dear  heavenly  Father,  and  he  made  us  sensibly  aware 
of  his  peace.  In  the  consideration  of  the  Scripture-verse  : 
All  flesh  shall  know  that  I,  the  Lord,  am  thy  Saviour  and 
thy  Redeemer,  the  Mighty  One  of  Jacob,  among  other 
things  we  said  to  the  brethren  :  What  in  the  end  will  the 
heathen  have  accomplished,  who  have  made  every  exertion  to 
destroy  our  church  and  in  part  have  destroj'ed  it?  If  only 
we  be  of  true  heart  and  mean  to  be  upright  with  the  Sa- 
viour, they  will  yet  learn  that  we  have  a  Saviour  who  will 
not  forsake  us  and  who  knows  how  to  bring  his  people 
through  with  a  strong  hand  and  outstretched  arm.  Upon 
our  knees  we  begged  for  absolution,  and  with  comforted 
hearts  entered  upon  the  new  year. 

Note. — The  following  letter,  taken  from  De  Peyster's  "  Miscellanies," 
p.  255,  is  not  without  interest,  and  refers  to  events  of  the  year  1782. 

"  Copy  of  a  letter  to  his  excellency  General  Haldimand,  dated  from 
Detroit,  the  18th  of  August,  1782  : 

"  I  am  just  honored  with  your  excellency's  letter  of  the  11th  July, 
approving  the  conduct  of  the  ofBcers  at  the  affair  at  Sandusky,  and 
regretting  the  cruelty  committed  by  some  of  the  Indians  upon  Colonel 
Crawford,  desiring  me  to  assure  them  of  your  utter  abhorrence  of  such 
proceedings.  Believe  me,  sir,  I  have  had  my  feelings  upon  this  occa- 
sion, and  foreseeing  the  retaliation  the  enemy  would  draw  upon  them- 
selves from  the  Indians,  I  did  every  thing  in  my  power  to  reconcile  the 
Delawares  to  the  horrid  massacre  their  relations  underwent  at  Mus- 
kingum, where  ninety-three  of  these  inoffensive  people  were  put  to 
death,  by  the  people  from  American  back  settlements,  in  cool  blood; 
and  I  believe  I  should  have  succeeded  had  not  the  enemy  so  soon  ad- 
vanced with  the  intent,  as  they  themselves  declared,  to  exterminate 
the  whole  Wiandott  tribe,  not  by  words  only,  but  even  by  exposing 
effigies,  left  hanging  by  the  heels  in  every  encampment. 

"  I  had  sent  messengers  throughout  the  Indian  country  previous  to 
the  receipt  of  your  excellency's  letter  threatening  to  recall  the  troops 
if  they,  the  Indians,  did  not  desist  from  cruelty. 

"I  have  frequently  signified  to  the  Indians  how  much  you  abhor 
cruelty,  and  I  shall  to-morrow  dispatch  a  person  I  have  great  confidence 
in  to  carry  your  injunctions  to  the  southern  nations 

"I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  excellency's 
most  humble  and  most  obedient  servant, 

"A.  S.  DE  PEYSTER. 
"  His  Excellency  General  Haldimand,  Commander-in-Chief,  etc." 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  131 


CHAPTER  III. 

1783. 
On   Clinton   River,  Michigan. 

"Wednesday,  Jan.  1.  In  the  forenoon  we  came  with  our 
brethren  before  the  dear  Lord,  and  were  blessed  by  him, 
made  a  new  covenant  with  him  that  we  wished  to  be  his, 
body  and  soul,  his  obedient  children  more  than  before, 
and  we  begged  from  him  his  nearness  and  blessing  the 
whole  year  through.  Ignatius,  a  poor  sinner,  who  had 
grossly  sinned  against  his  teachers,  was  absolved  amid 
many  tears.  Br.  Heckewelder  preached  and  Jungmann 
held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse: 
Zion  heard  and  was  glad.  Since  we  had  retained  these 
Scripture-verses  of  the  year  '80,  during  our  captivity,  we 
take  them  for  use  this  year. 

Friday,  3.  Most  of  the  brethren  went  out  hunting,  for 
some  snow  had  fallen,  of  which  we  have  had  little  indeed 
thus  far  this  winter.  Adam  straightway  shot  three  great 
bucks,  when  he  had  hardly  got  out  of  town.  Up  to  date 
we  have  yet  no  cold  to  speak  of,  for  the  ground  in  the  bot- 
toms is  not  yet  frozen.  We  can  cut  and  work  with  our 
hands  unhindered,  and  this  we  have  to  do  this  winter. 

Sunday,  5.  Br.  Edwards  preached  from  Titus,  iii,  and 
then  appeared  the  friendliness  and  graciousness  of  God, 
our  Saviour.  He  made  us  blessed  by  the  bath  of  regener- 
ation and  the  renovation  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Br.  Hecke- 
welder held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture- 
verse. 

Monday,  6.  We  celebrated  Epiphany  with  grace  and 
blessing.  The  heathen's  Saviour  made  himself  sensibly 
known  to  us  and  blessed  us  and  our  little  flock.  Br.  Jung- 
mann conducted  morning  prayer,  and  asked  the  Saviour 
for  his  presence  this  day,  particularly  to  bless  us  and  our 


132  zeisberger's  diary. 

brown  brethren  ;  thereupon  Br.  David  delivered  the  fes- 
tival-discourse from  the  Scripture-verse  :  Truly  my  soul 
waiteth  upon  God  ;  from  him  cometb  my  salvation.  When 
doubts  and  fears,  a  gloomy  band — Beset  my  soul  on  every 
hand.  In  the  afternoon  was  a  love-feast,  for  which  the 
Indians  had  bought  flour  at  the  Fort ;  thereby  we  called 
to  mind  former  times,  and  were  thankful  to  the  Saviour 
from  our  hearts  that  he  had  again  brought  us  to  peace 
and  had  again  given  us  a  place  to  rest  our  feet,  and  indeed 
a  place  so  beauitiful,  so  quiet,  so  remote  from  all  the  tur- 
moil of  the  world,  and  especially  from  heathenish  ways; 
and  this  is  its  charm,  so  that  on  the  Muskingum  it  was 
not  so  quiet  and  still,  for  which  we  can  not  thank  the  Sa- 
viour enough.  Only  one  thing  is  wanting — correspond- 
ence with  our  church,  particularly  with  Bethlehem  ;  this 
we  have  lost,  and  we  must  do  without  and  deny  ourselves 
much.  Br.  Heckewelder  ended  the  clay  with  prayer,  kneel- 
ing: he  thanked  the  Saviour  for  the  blessing  he  had  so 
richly  let  flow  to  us  to-day  and  during  the  holidays;  yea, 
during  these  days  he  has  not  let  himself  be  unknown 
among  the  brethren.  We  thought  also  in  our  services  and 
prayer  of  our  scattered  Indian  brethren,  and  recommended 
them  to  the  good  Shepherd,  that  he  may  soon  bring  them 
to  us. 

Tuesday,  7.  Br.  Heckewelder  went  with  William  and 
Adam  to  the  Fort ;  he,  William,  to  get  his  rations  of  pro- 
visions, for  as  yet  he  had  drawn  none,  for  when  he  came 
through  Detroit  he  could  bring  nothing  with  him,  and  Br. 
David  wrote  on  this  account  to  the  commandant. 

Wednesday,  8.  Since  we  learned  that  a  family  of  our 
Indians  lay  a  day's  journey  this  side  of  the  Fort,  which 
wished  to  come  to  us,  but  could  not,  and  that  they  suflered 
hunger,  three  brothers  went  ofl"  to  bring  them  here  if  pos- 
sible. Sophia,  Joshua's  wife,  brought  forth  a  son,  the  first 
in  this  place. 

Sunday,  12.  In  the  sermon  about  the  Gospel  of  to-day : 
When  Jesus  was  twelve  years  old,  but  especially  over  the 
words  :  Wist  ye  not  that  I  must  be  about  my  father's  busi- 
ness, he  spoke  about   the    Saviour's   great  work  for  our 


CLINTON   RIVER,    1783.  133 

redemption,  which  he  always  had  in  sight  so  long  as  he 
was  on  earth.  At  this  time  was  mentioned  the  festival  for 
the  children,  of  whom  but  two  are  now  here,  and  the  little 
son  of  Joshua  and  Sophia,  horn  on  the  8th  of  this  month, 
was  baptized  with  the  name  Christian.  Hcckewelder, 
with  the  Indians,  came  back  to-day  from  the  Fort,  and 
brought  the  two  widows,  Susanna  and  Maria  Elizabeth, 
who  had  already  been  for  a  time  in  the  Fort,  waiting  for 
an  opportunity  to  come  here.  About  the  rest  of  our  In- 
dians we  heard  that  many  were  wishing  to  come  in  the 
spring,  but  it  is  hardly  to  be  written,  the  pains  the  sav- 
ages take  and  the  lies  they  invent  to  keep  them  from 
coming  here,  aiYd  our  Indians  have  to  steal  away  secretly 
if  they  wish  to  come  here.  Many  white  people  from  the 
States,  who  have  been  taken  prisoners,  have  been  tortured 
and  burnt  alive  in  Sandusky  and  among  the  Shawanese, 
for  killing  our  Indians  in  Gnadenhiitten.  As  soon  as  it 
is  known  that  any  prisoner  had  part  in  that  affair,  he  is 
forthwith  bound,  tortured,  and  burnt. 

Tuesday,  14.  Early  in  the  morning  an  earnest  and  ap- 
plicable discourse  of  exhortation  was  delivered  to  all  the 
brethren  living  here,  owing  to  the  fact  that  many  of  our 
people  have  comported  themselves  badly,  and  they  were 
told  this  would  not  be  permitted.  This  discourse  was  much 
talked  about  among  our  people,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  it  will 
not  have  been  in  vain.  Most  of  the  Indian  brethren  went 
hunting  for  a  week.  A  Delaware  Mousey  Indian  has  come 
here,  and  is  encamped  up  this  creek  hunting;  he  begged 
permission  in  the  spring  to  have  leave  to  move  here.  He' 
said  he  had  long  felt  the  call  to  this  in  his  heart.  He  knew 
not  well  how  to  express  himself  or  how  he  should  speak 
when  he  asked  to  live  with  us  ;  like  many  others,  he  could 
merely  say  that  he  liked  to  hear  of  the  Saviour,  and  what 
he  heard  he  believed  to  be  the  truth.  Last  summer  in  De- 
troit lie  spoke  with  us  about  this  before  we  came  here,  and 
we  could  not  refuse  his  request. 

Thursday,  16.  A  Delaware  family  came  visiting.  Su- 
sanna Mingo  went  back  to  Sandusky  to  get  her  children, 
whom  she  had  left  behind. 


134  zeisberger's  diary. 

Saturday,  18.  Two  more  Delaware  Indians  came  here 
visiting.  They,  namely,  the  Delawares,  follow  after  us 
everywhere  and  seek  us  out,  though  we  would  rather  see 
them  remain  away  from  us,  for  they  are  all  people  who 
have  heard  the  Gospel,  but  have  been  unwilling  to  receive 
it,  and  they  have  troubled  our  church,  and  yet  they  can  not 
keep  away  from  us.  Yes,  we  have  to  fear  they  will  seek 
to  do  us  further  harm,  and  we  can  not  trust  them.  At  our 
captivity  the  Monseys  have  behaved  the  best. 

Sunday,  19.  Instead  of  the  sermon  there  was  read  to 
the  brethren  from  the  History  of  the  Days  of  the  Son  of 
Man,  and  Br.  Jungmann  held  the  congregation  meeting 
from  the  Scripture-verse. 

Tuesday,  21.  The  Indian  brethren  came  back,  who  have 
been  away  hunting  a  good  day's  journey  off.  In  that  neigh- 
borhood they  found  hilly  land,  met  with  plains  and  clear, 
open  bush,  which  country  pleased  them  very  well  for  hunt- 
ing. In  the  same  place,  too,  they  came  upon  white  cedar 
and  white  pine.  They  were  lucky,  too,  in  hunting,  and 
brought  in  about  twenty  deer,  for  the  bush  there  is  not  so 
thick  and  wild  as  here  in  this  neighborhood.  From  De- 
troit came  wandering  Delawares,  who  hunt  us  out  wherever 
We  go.  A  woman  wanted  to  live  with  us,  but  we  advised 
her  to  remain  away  from  here,  for  it  is  something  very  ven- 
tursome  with  women  without  husbands. 

Saturday,  25.  We  had  the  holy  communion,  in  which 
this  time  only  four  Indian  brethren  had  part.  Things 
will  not  go  right  with  them.  It  is  as  if  they  could  not 
find  their  way  to  the  sinners'  Friend,  and  we  see  very  well 
that  they  have  suffered  great  harm  in  their  hearts  and  have 
lost  all.  From  this  can  be  plainly  seen  what  a  poor  people 
they  are;  when  they  no  longer  have  a  brother  with  them 
they  again  become  heathen  and  dead  in  their  hearts.  We 
must  have  patience  with  them  until  the  Saviour  again 
touches  their  hearts  with  the  image  of  his  sufferings  and 
melts  them. 

Sunday,  26.  The  communion  liturgy  was  read  early, 
and  then  Br.  Edwards  preached.    Sensemann  held* the  con- 


CLINTON    ElVER,    1783.  135 

gregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse  :  Peace  be  with 
you  all  that  are  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Monday,  27.  Samuel,  the  assistant,  went  to  the  Fort, 
likewise  Sensemann  and  Michael  Jung,  on  business,  re- 
turning Wednesday,  29.  We  heard  here  to-day  loud  tiring 
of  cannons,  but  knew  not  what  it  meant,  but  now  we  hear 
it  was  the  birthday  of  her  Majesty,  the  Queeu,  which  was 
celebrated. 

Thursday,  30.  Most  of  our  people  went  to  Lake  St. 
Clair  with  meat,  where  a  trader  from  the  Fort  will  take  it 
and  pay  them  for  it  what  they  wish  in  exchange  for  it,  es- 
pecially corn.  Some  came  back  Friday,  31,  and  others  aft- 
erwards. This  week  we  begin  to  make  our  preparations 
for  boiling  sugar,  for  which  purpose  there  is  here  no  lack  of 
trees.  In  this  country  for  the  most  part  this  kind  of  sugar  is 
used,  only  a  little  West  India  sugar.  The  traders  take  it 
from  the  Indians  and  sell  it  again  for  three  shillings  the 
pound. 

Sunday,  Feb.  2.  Brs.  Samuel  and  Abraham  came  from 
the  settlements  with  other  brethren,  whence  they  brought 
home  corn,  and  in  the  afternoon  we  had  a  meeting.  While 
they  were  away  the  cold  was  so  intense  that  they  could 
not  endure  it,  and  had  to  go  into  every  house  to  warm 
themselves.  Samuel  came  near  freezing,  and  if  he  had 
had  to  go  a  couple  of  hundred  steps  more  he  would  have 
fallen;  the  people  had  trouble  in  bringing  him  to  again. 
Upon  the  lake  and  ice,  however,  there  is  much  keener  cold 
to  encounter  on  account  of  the  wind  than  in  the  bush,  and 
since  we  here  are  surrounded  by  the  bush,  we  are  not  so 
conscious  of  the  cold. 

Wednesday,  5.  Chippewas  came,  as  they  are  often  wont 
to  do,  but  generally  they  come  into  our  houses,  and  since 
we  white  brethren  were  not  at  home,  save  the  sisters, 
Abraham  was  forced  to  tell  them  to  avoid  our  houses,  and 
rather  to  go  visiting  in  the  huts  of  the  Indians — that  we 
considered  it  improper  for  men  to  visit  women  when  their 
husbands  were  not  at  home. 

Friday,  7.  Most  of  the  brethren  are  several  days  out 
hunting.     The  skins  are  worth  little  here,  but,  on    the 


136  zeisberger's  diary. 

other  liancl,  the  meat  mnch  more,  four  and  five  dollars  for 
a  whole  deer,  and  for  this  they  can  get  every  thing. 

Saturday,  8.  There  came  two  white  people,  one  a  trader, 
named  Isaac  Williams,  from  the  Fort,  to  visit  us  and  see 
this  country.-  This  whole  week  it  has  been  very  cold,  and 
it  snowed  every  other  day.  ^  ( 

Sunday,  9.  In  the  forenoon  the  sermon  was  about  good 
seed  in  the  field,  where  the  enemy  sows  tares.  Br.  Hecke- 
welder  held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture- 
verse. 

Monday,  10.  The  two  white  men,  Isaac  Williams  and 
Cassedy,  started  for  home ;  the  last  has  already  been  here 
once  before,  and  in  Detroit  has  talked  much  about  our 
towns  and  Indians,  about  their  devotion  and  singing  in 
the  meetings,  over  which  he  wondered  much  and  was  edi- 
fied. He  said  he  would  not  have  believed  the  Indians 
could  have  learned  to  sing  so  finely;  he  could  not  himself 
boast  of  being  an  earnest  and  devout  church-goer.  Then, 
too,  there  was  no  opportunity  except  in  the  French  Cath- 
olic church,  but  this  time  he  had  come  for  no  other  reason 
than  to  be  present  at  our  meetings,  for  it  charmed  him  to 
see  the  Indians  so  assembled,  and  he  liked  to  listen  to 
them. 

Tuesday,  11.  The  strong  cold  came  to  an  end  after 
lasting  nearly  two  weeks,  and  it  was  somewhat  milder,  so 
that  the  following  days  of  the  week  we  had  fine,  spring- 
like weather;  thus  the  snow  went  quite  away,  partly  from 
rain,  partly  from  warm  winds. 

Friday,  14.  Two  white  men  arrived.  One,  a  German 
prisoner,  brought  in  by  the  Indians,  asked  for  a  New  Tes- 
tament as  a  loan,  for  here  such  books  are  not  to  be  had, 
and  it  is  a  blessing  for  us  that  we  have  still  kept  our 
books,  about  which  the  warriors  have  not  much  troubled 
themselves.     This  week  we  made  the  first  sugar. 

Sunday,  16.  A  sermon  in  the  forenoon,  after  which 
most  of  the  brothers  went  back  to  their  sugar-huts,  the 
w^eather  was  so  fine. 

Sunday,  23.  This  whole- week  the  brethren  were  in  the 
bush  at  their  sugar-huts,  so  also  we,  white  brethren,  ex- 


CLINTON   RIVER,    1783.  137 

cept  that  Br.  Jnngmann  and  the  sisters  stayed  at  home 
alone  by  day.  In  the  evening  we  all  came  home  except 
the  two  unmarried  brothers.  The  sermon  was  about  the 
Epistle,  that  our  fathers  were  baptized  in  the  sea  and  with 
the  clouds,  but  we  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ  that 
washeth  and  cleanseth  us  of  our  sins. 

Tuesday,  25.  Br.  Jungmann,  during  a  strong  gust  of 
wind,  experienced  the  evident  protection  of  the  Saviour 
and  of  the  dear  angels,  for,  as  he  was  getting  water  at  the 
spring,  a  tree  fell  directly  in  front  of  him  and  another  be- 
hind him,  so  that  the  branches  whirled  about  his  head, 
and  if  he  had  gone  one  stop  only,  forwards  or  backwards, 
he  would  have  been  struck  to  the  ground.  He  remained 
standing  in  the  very  spot  where  first  aware  of  the  danger, 
and  said  within  himself:  "Bear  Saviour,  thy  will  be 
done,"  and  no  ill  was  done  him.  Likewise  our  brethren, 
during  the  same  storm,  had  wonderful  protection,  for,  in 
so  thick  a  bush  of  unusually  high  trees,  it  is  very  danger- 
ous during  such  winds. 

Wednesday,  26.  All  the  Indian  brethren  who  went  off 
hunting  two  days  ago,  a  day's  journey  from  here,  came 
home  with  nothing,  for  the  snow  is  gone,  and  all  the  land 
is  full  of  water,  so  flat  and  even  is  it.  At  times  thev  had 
to  go  a  long  way  through  water  and  marsh  knee-high,  and 
thus  were  in  no  condition  to  accomplish  any  thing. 

Sundav,  March  2.  The  brethren  came  tos^ether  for  the 
sermon,  which  Br.  Bavid  preached  from  the  Gospel  about 
the  sower,  saying  that  Satan,  although  he  can  not  pre- 
vent the  preaching  of  the  word  of  God,  is  not  indifferent 
and  lazy  about  it,  but  much  more  seeks  either  to  deprive 
people  of  what  they  have  heard,  or  to  fill  their  hearts  with 
other  and  wordly  things,  that  they  may  think  nothing 
about  it,  and  that  he  may  turn  their  hearts  therefrom.  For 
some  days  such  extremely  cold  weather  has  set  in  again, 
that  nothing  is  to  be  done  in  sugar-making.  Meanwhile, 
the  brethren  make  preparation  until  the  trees  run  again, 
so  as  to  be  ready. 

Some  went  to  the  Fort  to  buy  corn,  for  many  have 
nothing  left  to  eat.     They  drew  in  the  autumn  the  same 


138  zeisberger's  diary. 

quantity  of  provisions  for  six  months  that  we  drew,  but 
they  have  no  idea  how  to  manage  with  it.  If  they  have 
any  thing,  they  eat  much  and  spare  not  till  it  is  gone. 
They  care  not  for  the  morrow  what  they  shall  then  eat, 
if  to-day  they  can  eat  their  fill. 

Monday,  3.  The  Indian  brethren,  several  days  ago, 
went  oiF  hunting,  for  the  most  part  to  get  meat,  which 
they  take  to  the  settlements  and  buy  corn  with.  This  is 
now  enormously  dear,  and  costs  even  now  more  than  three 
pounds  a  bushel,  for  last  summer  there  was  a  failure  of  the 
crop,  and  this  winter  the  grain  is  spoilt  by  frost. 

Tuesday,  4.  Sensemann  also  went  to  the  Fort  to  get 
necessities,  namely,  corn,  for  now  corn  can  still  be  had,  but 
in  the  spring  none  at  all.     He  came  back — 

Thursday,  5,  and  with  him  two  white  men  to  see  this 
place  and  neighborhood.  As  we  hear,  many  people  pur- 
pose coming  this  spring  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  to  settle, 
now  that  we  have  made  a  beginning. 

Saturday,  8.  For  two  days  we  have  fine,  mild  weather, 
the  trees  run,  and  sugar  is  again  made,  but  this  running 
varies  and  lasts  not  long.  We  must  watch  for  our  chance, 
and  now  the  brethren  are  all  scattered  in  the  bush  in  their 
sugar-camps,  so  that  some  of  us  white  brethren  only  are 
alone  at  home. 

Sunday,  9.  There  was  a  sermon,  for  which  the  brethren 
came  home,  and  in  the  afternoon  betimes  went  back  again. 

Tuesday,  11.  William  went  to  the  Fort  with  some 
others  to  get  their  monthly  supplies. 

Thursday,  13.  He  came  back,  and  at  the  same  time 
two  widows,  Martha  and  Henrietta,  from  the  Shawanese 
towns.  They  remain  here,  but  the  latter  will  first  get  her 
cattle  and  things.  From  them  we  learn  thus  much  about 
our  Indian  brethren,  that  they  are  much  scattered  in  the 
bush,  here  and  there,  but  that  Mark,  with  the  Mohicans, 
had  gone  away  farther,  and  had  settled  with  the  wild  In- 
dians of  the  nation  alone,  and  will  not  come  here.  They 
are  entertained  there  industriously  with  lies  and  fed  with 
them,  that  they  may  not  come  here.  This  place  and 
neighborhood  are  described  to  them  as  bad  and  danger- 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  139 

ous ;  their  friends  among  the  savages  watch  them,  and  do 
every  possible  thing  to  prevent  their  coming  here.  They 
are  in  the  hands  of  wolves,  who  plague  and  worry  them 
all,  and  many  of  our  Indians  are  blinded  and  let  them- 
selves be  led  like  fools.  There  is,  as  it  were,  a  judgment 
upon  them,  and  punishment  follows  ever  after  them.  Had 
they  come,  when  last  spring  they  got  their  summons  to 
come,  they  would  have  been  free  and  have  escaped  further 
punishment,  but  now,  on  account  of  their  disobedience 
and  perverseness,  they  must  suj9:er,  and  what  they  yet  hold 
of  their  cattle'  and  efl'ects  will  yet  all  be  stolen,  but  yet 
they  are  still  blind,  and  can  not  resolve  to  get  away  from 
the  race  of  the  wicked.  We  hear,  however,  that  in  the 
spring  many  will  yet  come  here  ;  but  Mark,  who  plays 
the  chief,  and  wishes  to  build  up  again  his  nation,  which  is 
really  at  an  end,  flatters  himself  that  he  will  get  a  brother 
for  their  teacher.  The  times  have  changed,  and  we  have 
learned  how  it  is  when  we  with  our  mission  are  among 
heathen  chiefs,  who  wish  to  lay  down  rules  for  us  ;  to 
whom  unclean  people  complain  when  we  reprove  them 
for  their  wicked  life,  for  the  chiefs,  the  devil's  generals, 
abet  them,  and  so  persecute  us.  How  does  that  do  for  us? 
They  are  blind  heathen.  Our  affairs  and  theirs  go  not 
together.  Praise  be  to  God  that  we  are  out  of  their 
hands,  for  we  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  them,  nor 
they  with  us. 

Saturday,  15.  We  had  the  sacrament, of  his  body  and 
blood  in  the  holy  communion  with  hungry  and  thirsty 
souls. 

Sunday,  16.  The  sermon  was  from  the  Gospel  about 
the  Canaanite  woman  :  the  brethren  were  present,  but  soon 
went  back  to  their  sugar-huts  after  our  to-day's  Scripture- 
verse  had  been  treated  of:  Whom  having  not  seen  ye 
love,  in  whom,  though  now  ye  see  him  not,  etc. 

Towards  evening  three  young  people  of  our  Indians  came 
from  the  Shawanese  towns,  Matthew,  Cornelius'  son,  and 
Jacob,  the  son  of  the  Rachael  who  died  last  autumn  in  Lower 
Sandusky,  and  had  agreed  with  him  that  he,  with  his  two 
sisters,  should  come  here  to  the  brethren.    With  them  came 


140  zeisberger's  diary. 

Andrew,  a  single  man;  these  three  stole  away,  and  came 
here  simply  to  see  and  hear  us,  and  with  their  own  eyes  to 
look  at  the  country  where  we  live,  since  they  have  heard  so 
many  lies  from  strange  Indians  who  have  been  here  and 
gone  there :  namely,  that  we  lived  in  a  place  surrounded 
by  water  and  marsh,  so  that  we  could  plant  nothing,  and 
must  starve,  yes,  we  would  yet  all  perisb,  for  we  were 
not  sure  of  our  lives,  and  yet  many  more  lies,  which  were 
always  told  them  to  frighten  them  from  here.  They 
also  said,  as  we  had  already  heard,  that  they  were  all  scat- 
tered, and  could,  therefore,  say  with  no  certainty  who  of 
them  had  it  in  mind  to  come  here,  and  they  who  indeed 
wished  to  be  here,  must  keep  their  wish  secret  from  fear 
of  the  savages,  who  seek  to  hold  them  back,  and  watch 
over  them  that  they  may  not  escape  them.  The  poor 
widows,  who,  alone  as  they  are,  can  not  help  themselves, 
and  have  no  confidence  to  come  away,  even  if  they  wished 
to  begin  the  journey,  they  are  the  worst  off.  Others  again 
live  without  care  for  the  day,  and  can  not  bethink  them- 
selves nor  come  to  any  resolution,  and  meanwhile  let  the 
heathenish  life  please  them,  and  are  again  become  heathen. 
Thus  are  they  now  circumstanced,  they  have  got  into 
great  misery,  and  have  no  longer  among  them  the  word  of 
God,  for  the  old  among  them,  as  it  seems,  are  the  worst. 
It  is  thus  worthy  of  note  to  observe  that  the  Saviour  urges 
on  our  young  people,  makes  them  anxious  and  distressed 
for  their  teachers,  and  they  long  again  for  God  and  for  his 
word.  We  rejoiced  much  to  see  them,  and  it  gave  us  new 
courage  and  hope  that  our  Indian  church  shall  again  as- 
semble and  be  edified. 

Tuesday,  18.  Most  of  the  Indian  brethren  went  off 
hunting  for  a  few  days,  and  the  three  who  have  lately 
come  to  examine  the  country,  but  the  rest  of  the  brethren 
were  all  in  the  bush,  busy  making  sugar.     They  came 

Thursday,  20,  back  home,  and  the  assistant,  Samuel, 
went  with  them  visiting  about  the  sugar-huts  and  to  see 
the  brethren,  who  also  rejoice  as  much  as  we  do,  to  hear 
something  about  our  scattered  brethren,  and  inasmuch  as 
the  three  brethren  wished  to  have  a  meeting,  the  breth- 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  141 

ren  who  are  near  by  came  home  mornings,  and  we  had 
daily  meetings  so  long  as  they  were  here. 

Sunday,  23.  In  the  forenoon  a  sermon,  in  the  afternoon 
a  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse :  For  the 
gifts  and  calling  of  God  are  without  repentance. 

Monday,  24.  Two  of  the  lately  arrived  brethren  went 
away  to  their  friends  to  bring  them  here  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble. With  them  went  also  Abraham,  Samuel,  and  others 
to  the  Fort  to  get  corn.  Every  thing  here  has  pleased  them. 
They  have  seen  that  all  they  heard  of  us  was  a  lie,  but 
above  all  it  did  them  good  again  to  have  an  opportunity  to 
hear  God's  word,  which  for  so  long  a  time  they  have  had 
to  do  without. 

The  others  in  the  Shawanese  towns  await  meanwhile 
with  longing  for  their  return,  to  hear  what  sort  of  news 
they  bring  with  them  about  us.  We  sent  word  to  them 
that  we  invited  hither  all  brethren  who  were  distressed,  in 
trouble  about  their  salvation  and  longing  for  comfort,  for 
here  we  were  right  quiet  and  undisturbed,  seeing  and  hear- 
ing nothinof  of  war.  And  since  some  of  those  there  still 
continue  to  cherish  a  vain  hope  that  some  one  of  us  will 
again  come  to  them,  we  let  them  know  that  as  long  as  the 
war  lasts,  this  can  not  be,  and  w^e  could  not  promise  it, 
even  should  there  be  peace  again  in  the  land.  They  were  a 
week  on  their  way  hither,  and  expect  to  make  their  journey 
back  in  the  same  time,  but  Andrew  begged  to  stay  here. 

Tuesday,  25.  Br.  Conner  arrived  from  the  Fort  to  build 
himself  a  house,  and  soon  to  bring  his  family.  For  the 
sake  of  his  maintenance  he  has  had  to  stay  there  till  now, 
and  circumstances  have  forced  him. 

Thursday,  27.  Brs.  Abraham  and  Samuel  came  in  from 
the  Fort,  where  they  saw  the  two  young  brethren  depart, 
after  having  been  provided  with  provisions  for  their  jour- 
ney by  the  major,  to  whom  Br.  David  wrote.  Our  Indian 
brethren  made  the  major  a  present  of  a  couple  of  deer, 
which  he  very  graciously  received. 

Friday,  28.  There  was  a  great  thunder-storm,  the  sec- 
ond one  since  winter,  with  hard  rain,  and  we  had  the  finest 
spring  weather,  lasting  several  days. 


142  zeisberger's  diary. 

Sunday,  30.  The  brethren  came  together  for  the  sermon, 
and  afterwards  in  the  afternoon  there  was  a  congregation 
meeting,  held  by  Br.  Jungmann,  from  the  Scripture- verse. 

Monday,  31.  A  white  man  came  from  the  Fort  and 
bought  from  our  Indians  sugar  for  corn  and  flour,  a  good 
thing  for  our  people,  who  are  very  short  of  food  for  a  long 
time.  All  which  they  get  here  they  can  sell  for  a  good 
price,  be  it  what  it  may. 

Thursday,  April  3.  The  widow,  Henrietta,  went  back 
to  the  Shawanese  town  to  get  her  cattle  and  things  she  had 
left  there.  It  makes  us  sad  to  see  how  they  have  quite 
fallen  away  from  the  Saviour,  and  again  become  heathen  as 
soon  as  their  teachers  were  taken  from  them;  they  see  now 
what  a  poor  people  they  are,  if  they  have  not  a  brother 
with  them.  iS^one  is  subject  to  another,  nor  does  one  give 
heed  to  another,  but  each  one  is  for  himself,  and  there  is 
no  fellow-feeling  among  them.  Each  one  considers  him- 
self shrewd,  and  accepts  no  advice  from  others.  Those, 
however,  who  yet  stand  fast  must  be  silent,  and  dare  not 
speak ;  thus  each  one  must  see  for  himself  where  he  will 
abide.  Therefore  it  is  hard  with  many  a  one  to  come 
away,  for  he  has  no  suitable  help,  and  can  not  help  him- 
self, for  hitherto  we  have  always  had  to  seek  to  help  them 
get  here. 

Saturday,  5.  Early  service,  most  of  the  brethren  being 
at  home. 

Sunday,  6.  In  the  forenoon,  there  was  a  sermon  about 
our  High  Priest,  who  offered  himself  for  our  sins,  and  is 
entered  into  the  holy  place  not  made  with  hands,  into 
heaven  itself,  to  appear  for  us  before  the  face  of  God.  The 
congregation  meeting  was  held  by  Br.  Heckewelder,  from 
the  Scripture-verse:  Him  that  cometh  to  me  I  will  in  no 
wise  cast  out.  Since  the  warm  weather  already  lasts  for 
some  time  and  sugar-making  is  ended,  we  stopped  it 
to-day,  for  the  sap  is  no  longer  sweet,  and  indeed  there  is 
little  of  it. 

Monday,  7.  Some  Indian  brethren  went  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river  to  help  block- out  his  house  for  a  white  man, 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  143 

who  wishes  to  settle  there,  and  invited  them.     In  this  way 
tliey  earn  corn,  which  they  much  need. 

Wednesday^  9.  Abraham,  with  several  others,  went  by 
water  to  the  settlement  for  corn,  and  came, 

Saturday,  12,  hack  again  ;  so  also  the  brethren  from  the 
month,  M'here  they  have  blocked  out  a  house  and  brought 
it  under  roof.  This  whole  week  there  were  heavy  rains, 
with  thunder,  so  that  the  creek  rose  higher  than  it  has 
been  since  the  snow  went  oft". 

Sunday,  13.  The  sermon  was  about  the  Saviour's  en- 
trance into  Jerusalem  for  his  passion.  The  brethren  w^ere 
exhorted  to  follow  him,  to  go  with  him,  step  by  step,  and 
to  observe  him  in  all  the  scenes  of  his  passion.  In  the 
afternoon  there  was  a  service  for  all  communion  brethren, 
who  before  had  part  therein,  but  not  for  two  years.  They 
w^ere  told  to  search  their  hearts,  to  be  straightforward  and 
upright,  and  with  all  their  troubles  to  go  to  the  Saviour 
and  seek  forgiveness,  for  that  he  was  gracious  and  merci- 
ful to  all  those  of  humble  and  contrite  heart. 

Thursday,  17.  After  the  brethren  had  all  been  ad- 
dressed, the  communion  brethren,  after  the  reading  of  the 
history  of  to-day,  had  the  washing  of  feet,  and  thereupon 
the  supper  of  our  Lord  in  the  night,  w^hen  he  was  be- 
trayed. Two  sisters,  Sophia  and  Salome,  and  one  brother, 
Adam,  were  readmitted  after  receiving  absolution  with 
the  laying  on  of  hands.- 

Friday,  IS.  Throughout  the  day  there  were  readings 
of  the  history  of  the  suflerings  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour, 
and  this  was  listened  to  with  moved  and  melted  hearts. 
At  the  words,  "Jesus  bowed  his  head  and  gave  up  the 
ghost,"  we  fell  upon  our  knees  and  recited  the  liturgy. 

Saturday,  19.  We  kept  the  Quiet  Sabbath.  We  could 
have  no  love-feast  on  account  of  our  poverty,  but  in  the 
evening  Br.  Jungmann  held  a  service  about  the  blessing, 
which  through  his  rest  in  the  grave  has  come  to  us  and 
become  our  portion. 

Sunday,  20.  After  we  had  early  greeted  the  brethren 
with  the  words,  "  The  Lord  is  arisen,"  we  prayed  the 
Easter  litany  in  the  chapel,  since  we  yet  had  no  regular 


144  zeisberger's  diary. 

God's  acre.  Afterwards  the  history  of  the  resurrection 
was  read,  and  then  a  sermon  from  Br.  Heckewelder.  In 
the  evening  was  a  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scrip- 
ture-verse. 

Monday,  21.  Br.  David  wrote  to  London.  "We  repaired 
our  boat,  and  set  out, 

Tuesday,  22,  for  Detroit,  for  the  time  was  favorable  for 
getting  provisions  and  ours  were  at  an  end.     We  came, 

Wednesday,  23,  there,  as  also  our  Indian  brethren  the 
25th,  and  after  Br.  David  had  spoken  with  Major  de  Pey- 
ster,  and  got  an  order  from  him  for  us  and  our  Indians, 
and  had  received  the  provisions,  we  went  away  again  on  the 
26th.  The  major  gave  us  two  cows  and  three  horses, 
which  he  had  already  promised  us  the  year  before,  but 
which  we  had  left  behind,  because  we  had  not  believed  we 
could  bring  them  through;  these  we  now  took.  Mr.  As- 
kin  informed  us  at  once  that  he  had  received  an  answer 
from  Montreal,  and  he  paid  us  the  £100  sterling.  We 
bought  two  cows  from  this,  but  these  are  very  dear  here, 
namely,  thirty  to  forty  pounds  New  York  currency.  Br. 
David  gave  to  the  major  the  letters  to  be  forwarded  to 
London,  as  soon  as  the  next  ship  sailed  for  Niagara,  and 
this  he  promised  to  see  to.  At  the  upper  end  of  German- 
town,  Br.  David,  by  request,  baptized  four  children. 

Monday,  28.  We  got  back  home  again,  having  been 
much  hindered  on  the  lake  by  head-winds,  and  having 
had  much  trouble  to  row  against  them.  But  the  Indians 
had  to  lie  still.  Both  their  canoes  were  filled  by  the  waves. 
We  brought  with  us  in  our  boat  Br.  Conner  and  his  wife, 
with  the  provisions  which  now  they  get  as  we  do,  but 
which  before  they  did  not  draw  so  long  as  they  were  in 
Detroit. 

Thursday,  May  1.  Our  Indians  got  home.  They  brought 
the  following  news :  The  Chippewa  chief,  whom  they  met 
on  their  way,  spoke  with  them,  and  said  that  they  lived 
on  his  land ;  it  had  not  been  his  intention  that  we  should 
settle  here;  he  thought  we  would  live  the  other  side  of 
the  river  further  down.  This  land,  however,  they  had  al- 
ready made  over  to  white  people,  just  as  this  on  which  we 


CLINTON    RIVEB,    1783.  145 


live  belongs  to  Mr.  Bawbee,  as  tbe  major  himself  told  Br. 
David,  but  it  is  probable  that  the  thing  has  a  more  distant 
cause,  and  that  the  nations,  Delawares,  Shawanese,  etc., 
have  put  an  idea  into  the  heads  of  the  Chippevvas  and 
aroused  them  against  us,  in  order  that  the  Gospel  may  no 
longer  be  preached  in  the  Indian  land.  They  see  that  we 
here  find  protection  and  support  under  the  English  gov- 
ernment, that  we  are  settling  down  again,  and  that  our 
Indians  begin  to  come  together  again  ;  this  vexes  them 
and  they  will  not  cease  to  think  upon  ways  and  means  to 
hinder  this,  if  not  utterly  to  destroy  us.  Brother  David 
wrote,  therefore,  Friday,  May  2,  to  the  major  in  Detroit, 
and  informed  him  of  this.  This  letter,  a  white  man,  our 
neighbor,  who  settled  several  weeks  ago  on  this  river  be- 
low us,  took  with  him  to  Detroit.  We  do  not  doubt  that 
the  major  and  Bawbee,  who  recommended  this  country  to 
us,  will  do  their  best  in  the  matter  to  have  us  remain 
here.  Otherwise  things  were  in  their  usual  order.  As 
soon  as  we  got  home,  we  again  set  about  our  labor  of 
clearing  the  land.  Of  garden  stuff  we  had  already  sowed 
a  good  deal. 

Sunday,  4.  The  sermon  was  by  Br.  Heckewelder  about 
the  good  Shepherd,  who  lays  down  his  life  for  his  sheep, 
and  the  congregation  meeting  by  Br.  Jungmann  from  the 
Scripture-verse. 

Tuesday,  6.  Br.  Heckewelder  went  eight  miles  down 
the  river  to  Mr.  Tucker,  whom  he  met  on  the  way  here  to 
us.  He  was  sent  by  the  major  with  a  letter  for  Br.  David, 
an  answer  to  his  letter  of  the  2d  Inst.  In  this  he  told  us 
to  continue  our  labor  undisturbed  and^to  plant;  that  we 
should  be  without  anxiety,  he  would  arrange  the  affair 
with  the  Chippewa  Indians  to  our  satisfaction,  and  if  they 
came  to  us  and  said  any  thing,  we  should  hand  to  them 
the  string  of  wampum  and  the  piece  of  tobacco  he  had 
sent  us,  and  say  to  them  that  their  father  wished  to  speak 
to  them  about  this,  and  invited  them  to  come  to  him. 

Wednesday,  7.  Two  messengers  came,  Matthew^  and 
Renatus,  to  tell  us  that  some  forty  of  our  Indians  were  on 
10 


146  zeisberger's  diary. 

their  way  here,  whom  they  had  left  on  the  Miami  (Man- 
mee),  but  that  they  had  nothing  to  eat,  and  mnst  maintain 
themselves  on  the  journey  by  hunting.  Since  now  plant- 
ing-time is  so  near,  and  we  should  like  to  prevent  their 
neglecting  it,  we  sent  to  them  on  the  8th  a  canoe  and  with 
it  Br.  EdAvards  to  the  Fort,  and  Br.  David  wrote  to  the 
major  about  them,  telling  him  this  and  asking  him  to  send 
on  some  provisions  to  them,  that  they  might  get  here  as 
soon  as  possible  and  plant  at  the  right  time. 

The  rest,  who  are  still  among  the  Shawanese,  have  in 
part  no  wish  to  come  here,  and  a  part  can  not  come  on 
account  of  the  savages,  though  they  would  like  to  come,  for 
as  soon  as  the  savages  observe  that  any  one  of  our  Indians 
would  come  here,  they  prevent  him  and  will  not  let  him 
go.  But  Mark,  who,  as  we  hear,  has  made  himself  chief 
of  the  Mohicans  in  that  neighborhood,  got  them  together 
and  moved  away  with  them  farther,  and  has  founded  a 
separate  town,  but  only  two  of  our  Indians  are  with  him, 
Gabriel  and  Isaac.  Sensemann  held,  on  the  8th,  the  early 
service.  The  Indian  brethren,  who  went  in  the  boat  to 
Detroit  several  days  ago  to  get  provisions,  came  back  from 
there  to-day. 

Friday,  9.  Br.  David  held  the  early  service  from  the 
Scripture-verse.  The  brethren  were  encouraged  to  plant 
industriously  and  not  to  be  lazy. 

Saturday,  10.  Br.  Heckewelder  held  early  service.  This 
whole  week  we  and  our  Indian  brethren  have  been  busy 
clearing  the  fields,  but  it  is  hard  work,  on  account  of  un- 
commonly large  timber. 

Sunday,  11.  Br.  David  preached  in  the  morning,  and 
in  the  afternoon  Br.  Heckewelder  conducted  the  funeral 
of  little  Augustina,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sara  ISTanti- 
coke,  three  years  nine  months  old,  who  died  yesterday 
of  consumption.  Br.  Edwards  returned  to-day,  and  not 
on  the  12th. 

Monday,  12.  Br.  Edwards  returned  from  Detroit,  where 
he  received  supplies  for  our  Indians  now  on  their  way 
here,  and  "Sent  them  to  them.  At  the  same  time  he  brought 
word  that  peace  would  certainly  be  made. 


CLINTON  RIVER,  1783.  147 

Wednesday,  14.     The  first  of  the  brethren  got  here  by 
hind,  namely.  Lake,  with  his  family,  and, 

Thursday,  15,  came  also  some  by  water.  They  were  all 
very  glad  to  see  us  again  and  to  be  with  us.  Many  soon 
came  and  told  us  their  need,  that  their  hearts  had  not  been 
wejl  since  we  were  taken  from  them,  and  that  on  this  ac- 
count they  wanted  to  come  here.  We  could  not  but  have 
hearty  compassion  with  them,  addressed  them  to  the  Sa- 
viour, to  approach  him  again,  and  with  him  they  would 
find  comfort  and  forgiveness.  After  the  chiefs  in  the  In- 
dian laud  observed  that  they  wished  to  come  to  us  here,  they 
took  all  possible  pains  to  hinder  this,  saying  to  them  they 
should  yet  have  patience  for  a  little  while,  and  not  be  in 
such  haste  ;  that  thev  had  much  to  consider  and  their  af- 
fairs  to  put  in  order;  they  were  not  opposed  to  their  going 
again  to  their  teachers,  and  knew  well  enough  they  could 
not  be  without  them,  but  as  yet  they  knew  nothing  about 
the  Chippewas,  among  whom  the}'-  wished  to  go,  and  to 
whom  thej^  were  perfect  strangers,  but  they  should  send 
an  embassy  to  them,  and  if  the  matter  were  first  arranged, 
they  had  nothing  against  their  going  again  to  their  teach- 
ers ;  they  would  be  glad  to  have  their  children  and  young 
people  show  desire  and  inclination  for  this,  and  hear  the 
word  of  God  ;  they  said  to  them  therefore  to  wait  until 
autumn,  when  all  would  be  made  clear.  They  did  not, 
however,  permit  themselves  to  be  longer  retained,  for  they 
saw  very  well  that  they  only  wished  to  hinder  their  coming 
here  this  spring,  and  if  they  should  first  do  their  planting 
there,  they  would  be  quiet  for  a  while,  and  this  indeed  the 
chiefs  wished.  Others  who  wanted  to  come  here  let  them- 
selves be  held  back  till  autumn,  but  wished  to  come  then 
if  they  should  see  their  time.  The  heathen  will  yet  see 
and  rue  what  they  have  done,  to  their  own  great  harm,  how- 
ever; they  begin  already  to  see  this,  and  are  at  discord 
with  one  another  about  it,  and  they  accuse  one  another  of 
having  driven  away  the  believing  Indians  with  their  teach- 
ers. The  chiefs  sent  to  prominent  Indians  whose  friends 
wished  to  come  here,  and  said  to  them  they  should  stop 
their  friends  and  hold  them  fast,  but  they  got  for  an  answer 


148  zeisberger's  diary. 

from  Lennachgo :  "  I  will  neither  prevent  nor  forbid  any 
one  to  go  to  his  teachers.  Why  have  you  driven  their 
teachers  away  ?  Did  I  not  tell  you  beforehand  that  if  you 
drove  away  their  teachers,  their  Indians  also  would  not 
remain,  yet  you  have  done  so,  and  thus  you  have  driven 
away  the  believing  Indians  with  their  teachers.  You 
would  so  have  it,  therefore  I  will  prevent  no  one  from 
going  to  them  again,  but  I  am  glad  of  it.  Who  brought 
to  destruction  the  believing  Indians  on  the  Muskingum? 
Have  the  white  people  done  it,  whom  we  call  Virginians? 
Answer,  JSTo.  They  have  not  done  it,  but  you  are  they 
who  have  killed  them.  "Why  have  you  not  left  them  in 
peace  where  they  were?  They  w^ere  quiet,  and  have  done 
wrong  to  no  man.  Had  you  let  them  alone,  they  would 
all  now  be  alive,  and  we  could  yet  see  our  friends,  but  you 
would  have  it  so,  you  wished  to  ruin  them,  and  have  so 
done."  Thus  spoke  many  of  the  chiefs.  Half  of  the  Del- 
aware Indians  are  against  the  brothers  and  half  for  them. 
There  are  two  parties  of  them,  and  both  wrangle  all  the 
time  about  the  brothers  and  their  Indians.  Especially  the 
Goschachgiinkers,  wdiose  neighbors  we  were  at  Lichtenau 
(near  Coshocton,  O.),  in  a  manner  consider  themselves  ours, 
since  they,  too,  have  suffered  much  and  have  not  taken  up 
the  hatchet  against  the  Americans,  and  they  quarrel  with 
the  other  party  about  this.  They  will  on  that  account 
talk  about  this,  in  order  to  show  what  sort  of  effect  and 
influence  our  circumstances,  captivity,  and  fate  have  upon 
the  Indians,  and  that  it  is  not  so  lightly  looked  upon. 

Friday,  16.  Now  that  our  little  congregation  was  once 
again  nearly  as  full  as  it  was,  we  had  to  enlarge  our  chapel, 
at  which  the  brethren  went  at  once  to  work  and  built  on  a 
piece.  ' 

Saturday,  17.  Br.  Ileckewelder  went  with  some  Indian 
brethren  in  a  boat  to  Detroit,  to  get  supplies  for  the  breth- 
ren lately  arrived,  about  whom  Br.  David  w^rote  to  the 
major  asking  for  them.  Meanwhile  the  brethren  took  a 
view  of  the  place,  to  clear  land  where  they  could  plant,  for 
it  is  the  proper  time. 

Sunday,   18.     Br.   Heckewelder  preached.     Br.   David 


CLINTON    EIVER,    1783.  149 

conducted  the  service  for  the  children,  to  whom  he   said 
he  was  pleased  to  see  them  together  again  and  to  have  an 
opportunity  to  talk  with  them  about  the  Saviour;  they 
had  now  been  a  year  among  the  savages,  and  would  doubt- 
less see  .a  great  difference  between  us  and  them,  and  since 
they  could  now  again  hear  about  the  Saviour,  they  should 
be  thankful  to  him  therefor,  should  love  him,  seek  to  live 
for  him,  give  over  their  hearts  to  him,  put  away  all  their 
heathenish,  thoughtless  ways,  forget  what  they  must  have 
heard,  give  heed  to  the  word  of  God,  and  be  obedient  to 
him  ;  thus  would  they  be  happy  and  contented  children. 
We  spoke  with  some  of  the  brethren  latel}^  come,  and  ad- 
vised and  encouraged  them  to  start  afresh  and  to  make  a 
covenant  with  the  Saviour,  to  live  for  him.     Many  said: 
"We  regard    ourselves   as  nothing   but   heathen,  for  we 
have  lost  the  Saviour,  and  our  hearts    have  no  life  and 
feeling  from  him."     Br.  Jungmann  held  the  congregation 
meeting.     We  see  among  them  the  Saviour's  labor  still, 
who  has  indeed  not  forsaken  them,  for  if  the  old  among 
them  were  dead  and  indifferent  in  heart,  he  aroused  the 
children  and  young  people  so  that  they  longed  again  for 
the  brothers  to  be  with  them,  and  when  they  heard  Br. 
David's   message   this   spring,  that  we   invited   to  us  all 
brethren  who  were  anxious  about  their  salvation,  and  un- 
easy in  regard   to  the    Saviour,  a  little   child    answered, 
five  years  old,  at  once,  when  they  were    assembled,  and 
said  to  his  mother :     "  I  will  be  the  very  first,  and  go  to 
the   teachers."     The   mother,  who  before  was  somewhat 
indifterent,  and  yet  was  always  uneasy,  made  up  her  mind 
also  and  came  here. 

Wednesday,  21.  Br.  Edwards  returned  from  the  Fort, 
where  he  received  supplies  for  the  brethren  lately  come, 
given  to  him  without  hesitation.  He  brought  back  news 
that  on  the  25th  of  next  month,  June,  the  Americans  would 
take  possession  of  Detroit,^  in  accordance  with  the  articles. 
And  the  major  had  told  him  it  would  be  well  and  neces- 
sary if  meantime  some  one  of  us  came  to  the  city  to  see 

^  But  this  did  not  happen  till  July,  1796. 


150  zeisberger's  diary. 

how  things  went,  that  he  might  give  ns  news  betimes  and 
care  for  us  before  he  went  away. 

Friday,  23.  A  lost  sheep  came  back  to  us  here,  namely, 
Renatus,  the  Mohican,  who  for  many  years  has  been  in 
error  and  at  last  is  come  to  this  place.  He  begged  very 
earnestly  to  be  received  again,  to  live  with  us,  and  since 
we  saw  it  to  be  a  thing  which  concerned  the  salvation  of 
his  soul,  we  had  no  hesitation  in  receiving  him,  for  which 
he  was  glad,  and  went  back  at  once  to  the  lake,  where  he 
had  left  his  wife  and  children,  and  next  day  brought  them 
hither. 

Saturday,  24.  We  began  to  plant  corn,  after  having 
hitherto  always  been  busy  clearing  land,  and  therein  shall 
we  continue  so  long  as  time  permits. 

Sunday,  25.  Br.  David  preached  from  the  Grospel : 
Whatever  ye  shall  ask  the  Father — he  will  give  it  you.  I 
came  forth  from  the  Father,  and  am  come  into  the  world : 
again  I  leave  the  world  and  go  to  the  Father. 

In  the  communion  quarter-hour  the  Lord's  supper  was 
announced  for  next  Saturday.  Br.  Edwards  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting. 

Wednesday,  28.     The  brethren  helped  us  plant  corn. 

Thursday,  29.  We  prayed  to  our  unseen,  dear  Lord, 
who  is  gone  for  us  to  heaven,  and  now  sits  at  the  right 
hand  of  God,  and  intercedes  for  us.  We  begged  from 
him  his  blessed  nearness  feelingly  and  the  holy  walk  with 
him  at  all  hours  of  our  life.  Thereupon,  in  another  serv- 
ice, the  little  son  of  Jacob  and  Christiana,  born  on  the 
journey  hither  thirty  days  ago,  was  baptized  with  the 
name  Joseph.  Several  brethren  who  have  lately  come 
complained  to  us  of  their  wretched  condition,  in  that  they 
had  departed  from  the  Saviour  since  they  have  been 
among  the  wild  Indians,  and  in  part  had  been  punished 
with  heavy  and  gross  sins,  which  now  give  them  much  to 
do,  and  cause  them  more  need  and  anxiety  in  their  hearts 
than  all  the  distress  they  have  outwardly  suffered,  and 
they  long  for  comfort  and  forgiveness  of  their  transgress- 
ions. We  could  not  but  have  compassion  with  them, 
pray  to  the  Saviour  for  them,  to  have  mercy  upon  them. 


CLINTON    EIVER,    1783.  151 

and  direct  them  to  him,  the  Physician  of  their  souls,  who 
alone  can  heal  them. 

Saturday,  31.  After  the  brethren  had  been  addressed, 
we  had  the  holy  communion.  The  Saviour  was  so  merci- 
ful as  to  send  us  five  brethren,  whom  he  allowed  to  be  re- 
admitted, four  of  whom  were  of  those  lately  arrived,  who 
received  this  mercy  with  humble  and  contrite  hearts,  for 
they  had  had  no  communion  for  nearly  two  years,  an,d 
they  were  all  absolved  with  the  laying  on  of  hands.  The 
Saviour  was  manifest  in  a  wonderful  way  to  us,  blessed  us 
with  his  near  presence,  and  gave  us  his  peace. 

Sunday,  June  1.  After  the  communion  liturgy,  Br. 
Heckewelder  preached.  The  Holy  Spirit  was  busy  among 
the  brethren,  and  brought  it  home  to  many  a  one's  heart 
to  see  and  understand  his  destructive  and  satanic  posi- 
tion ;  this  brought  them  to  the  Saviour,  and  they  sought 
to  find  forgiveness  and  rest  for  their  hearts. 

Tuesday,  3.  David  held  early  service  from  the  Scrip- 
ture-verse :  Take  the  helmet  of  salvation  and  the  sword 
of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God.  Thus  would 
neither  sin,  nor  the  world,  nor  Satan  with  all  temptations 
have  any  hold  upon  us. 

Thursday,  5.  Michael  held  early  service.  He  spoke 
with  several  of  the  brethren  lately  arrived,  who  opened 
their  hearts,  confessed  their  guilt,  that  they  had  lost  their 
Saviour,  were  dead  in  heart,  and  had  polluted  themselves  | 

with  sin,  for  which  they  now  sought  forgiveness. 

Sunday,  8.  Upon  our  knees  we  prayed  to  God,  the 
blessed  Holy  Ghost,  thanked  him  for  his  pains,  care,  and 
oversight,  which  until  now  he  has  bestowed  upon  us,  to 
adorn  us  for  the  Bridegroom  of  our  souls.  We  acknowl- 
edged to  him  our  shortcomings,  and  asked  forgiveness  of 
all  our  transo:ressions,  that  often  we  had  ojiven  no  heed  to 
his  voice,  thereby  making  our  hearts  unblessed  and  dis- 
contented. The  sermon  treated  of  the  ofiice  and  service 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  the  first  place  among  the  children 
of  the  world,  and  especially  with  the  children  of  God,  in 
whom  he  dwelleth  since  they  have  received  sonship.  In 
the  service  for  the  baptized,  Cornelius  was  absolved  with 


152  zeisberger's  diary. 

the  laying  on  of  hands,  for  which  we  had  much  longed 
and  begged. 

Monday,  9.  Most  of  our  Indians  went  off  hunting  for 
a  few  days,  for  their  provisions  have  come  to  an  end,  and 
they  want  to  get  meat.  Meanwhile,  the  brethren  at  home 
were  busy  planting.     They  came, 

Wednesday,  9,  home  with  meat,  and  thus  must  they  try 
from  time  to  time  to  help  themselves  through. 

Thursday,  12.  McCormick  came  with  another  white 
man.  He  was  present  when  we  were  made  prisoners,  and 
since  he  saw  that  it  went  hard  with  us,  he  laid  the  great- 
est blame  for  our  captivity  upon  the  Indians,  but  we  well 
knew  by  whom  they  were  instigated  ;  he  pitied  us,  and 
showed  compassion  at  our  being  put  in  such  wretched  cir- 
cumstances, and  that  now  we  must  seek  to  get  along  so 
painfully  and  with  such  hard  labor.  He  took  his  boy, 
who  had  been  with  Conner,  to  put  him  in  school. 

Saturday,  14.     We  were  busy  planting. 

Sunday,  15.  Br.  David  preached  from  the  Gospel  about 
Nicoderaus,  who  came  by  night  to  Jesus,  and  spoke  with 
the  Saviour  about  the  new  birth,  which  he  has  gained  for 
us,  and  to  which  all  the  Holy  Trinity  has  contributed,  that 
we  now  again  should  become  God's  children  through  be- 
lief in  Jesus  Christ.  In  the  children's  hour  Br.  Heeke- 
welder  baptized  the  little  daughter  of  Adolphus  and  Su- 
sanna, two  months  old,  born  among  the  Shawanese,  into 
the  death  of  Jesus,  with  the  name  Susanna.  Michael  held 
the  congregation  meeting  from  the*  Scripture-verse.  To- 
day a  party  of  Chippewas  went  by,  the  first  since  spring, 
on  their  way  back  from  hunting. 

Wediwasday,  18.  There  came  another  family  here  from 
their  wandering,  namely,  Thomas,  with  his  wife  and  five 
children,  very  meek  and  humble,  asking  to  be  received. 
They  said:  "We  consider  ourselves  unworthy  to  live 
again  with  you;  we  have  lost  our  Saviour  and  are  no  bet- 
ter than  other  heathen  and  have  befouled  ourselves  with 
sin,  but  since  our  well-being  and  salvation  lie  upon  our 
hearts  and  we  can  have  no-  peace,  we  resolved  to  go  again 
to  our  teachers,  thinking  that  although  we  did  not  get 
leave  to  dwell  again  with  them,  it  would  in  some  measure 


CLINTON    EIVER,    1783.  153 

be  a  comfort  to  us  merely  to  see  3'^oiir  town  from  afar." 
We  had  no  hesitation  in  receiving  them,  and  let  them  feel 
our  hearty  compassion. 

They,  too,  had  something  to  arrange  before  they  could 
come  to  us,  for  he  springs  from  one  of  the  foremost  fam- 
ilies, and  is  grandson  of  the  former  chief,  iN^etawatwes  :  ^ 
thus  the  heads  of  the  Delawares  watched  sharply  over 
him  and  wished  to  keep  him  from  coming  to  ns,  and  many 
who  had  not  themselves  courage  to  speak  bribed  Indians 
to  advise  him  to  desist,  and  they  used  all  their  art,  but 
in  vain.  When  they  could  effect  nothing  with  him,  they 
turned  to  his  wife  and  threatened  to  take  away  her  chil- 
dren from  her  if  they  went  to  us,  but  she  answered:  "  If 
you  take  away  from  me  not  only  my  husband  but  my  chil- 
dren, yet  you  shall  know  that  I  will  go.  I  am  determined 
to  go,  and  nothing  can  stop  me,  for  what  particularly 
drives  me  to  my  teachers  is  the  everlasting  salvation  of 
my  soul.  What  good  does  it  do  me  if  you  give  me  a 
houseful  of  clothes,  silver,  and  other  things  and  my  soul 
be  lost?"  We  heard  at  the  same  time  that  Niagara^  is 
garrisoned  by  the  Americans,  and  that  already  also  some 
are  come  to  Detroit. 

Saturday,  21.  This  week  the  Indian  brethren  helped 
us  hoe  our  corn.  This  whole  spring  until  the  present  time 
we  have  been  hard  at  work,  almost  beyond  our  strength, 
for  we  wanted  to  have  our  maintenance  from  this  in  the 
future. 

Sunda}',  22.  The  sermon  was  about  the  rich  man,  in 
which  it  was  said  the  Saviour  would  show  us  how  it  is 
with  those  who  care  only  for  their  bodies  and  for  the 
world,  but  are  unconcerned  about  their  souls  and  their 
eternal  salvation,  that  our  only  necessity  is  to  strive  after 


^  Netavvatwes  was  ever  a  steadfast  friend  of  Zeisberger.  He  died  at 
the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  was  much  perplexed  at 
the  differences  among  Christians,  and  had  thoughts  of  consulting  the 
King  of  England  about  the  matter.  De  Schweinitz'  Life  of  Zeisberger, 
p.  387. 

■^  Niagara,  Oswego,  and  other  frontier  posts  were  not  given  up  to  the 
United  States  till  1796. 


154  zeisberger's  diary. 

righteousness  and  to  seek  to  obtain  peace  with  God,  then 
had  we  nothing  to  fear  from  judgment,  for  our  debts  were 
paid  here.  Br.  David  held  the  children's  service  and 
Jungmann  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  23.  We  went  with  the  boat  to  Detroit,  Br. 
Heckewelder  remaining  at  home,  the  Indians  also  with 
us,  to  get  supplies.  We  got  there  the  24th,  and  since  we 
had  heard  from  there  all  sorts  of  reports  that  a  great 
change  and  overturning  in  regard  to  authority  had  already 
begun,  it  was  pleasing  to  us  to  tind  every  thing  in 
statu  quo. 

Br.  David  spoke  with  the  major  about  the  maintenance 
of  us  and  our  Indians,  and  informed  himself  by  him  how 
long  he  would  furnish  us  from  the  king's  store.  And  since 
the  major  wanted  to  hear  Br.  David's  ideas  about  this,  he 
told  him  that  if  it  were  pleasing  to  him,  and  he  had  noth- 
ing against  it,  we  should  be  best  helped  if  he  would  supply 
us  with  provisions  until  autumn,  when  the  corn  is  ripe, 
namely,  towards  the  end  of  October.  We  should  receive 
this  with  appreciation  and  gratitude,  in  order  that  the  In- 
dians might  not  have  to  use  at  once  the  corn  they  had 
planted  before  it  was  yet  ripe.  He  agreed  to  this  at  once, 
and  made  no  difficulty  about  granting  us  provisions  for 
four  months,  gave  to  Br.  David  the  proper  written  order 
on  the  commissarv,  from  whom  we  had  to  receive  them, 
and  since  our  boat  could  not  hold  a  third  of  the  whole, 
he  ordered  also  a  large  transport  for  us,  so  that  we  could 
carry  every  thing,  and  with  which  we  could  go  up  to  our 
towns.  Since  now,  as  he  said,  he  had  no  trustworthy 
news  from  Quebec,  for  as  yet  no  packet  has  come  from 
there,  he  said  to  Br.  David  it  would  be  well  and  needful 
if  he  would  soon  come  back  to  the  city,  that  if  any 
change  took  place,  of  which  there  is  no  doubt,  for  they 
have  received  the  articles  of  peace,  he  could  confer  with 
Br.  David  and  make  arrangements  if  he  should  be  called 
away,  for  from  the  articles  of  peace  it  is  plain  to  be  seen 
that  iSFiagara,  Detroit,  and  Michilimackinac  will  be  ceded 
to  the  States, 

Thursday,  26.     After  every  thing  was  ready  we  went 


CLINTON  RIVER,  1783.  155 

again  from  Detroit.  Br.  Edwards,  in  the  great  transport, 
had  ah'eady  sailed  away  the  day  before  with  some  Indians. 

Friday,  27.  We  all  came  with  a  good  wind  over  the 
lake  home  successfully.  As  the  river  was  very  low,  the 
great  transport,  which  had  run  aground,  had  to  be  light- 
ened when  already  in  sight  of  our  town,  so  that  it  could 
come  all  the  way  up.  The  Indians  had  this  time  for  four 
months  fifty-two  barrels  of  flour,  twenty -five  barrels  of 
pork,  and  also  a  good  quantity  of  corn  and  other  things 
besides,  so  that  they  are  certainly  well  provided  for,  and 
have  never  been  so  well  oft'  in  their  lives.  Our  wish  is  only 
that  they  may  use  it  with  thankfulness.  They  were  again 
ashamed,  for  when  we  went  aAvay  from  here,  it  was  said 
that  in  the  Fort  we  should  all  be  put  in  irons,  that  the  rest 
here  would  be  taken  aAvay,  and  that  we  should  get  no 
provisions. 

Sunday,  29.  Br.  Edwards  preached  and  Michael  Jung 
held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  30.  Br.  David  delivered  an  earnest  discourse 
of  admonition  to  the  brethren  on  account  of  the  bad  con- 
ductof  some  who  wentto  the  Fort  with  us,  and  Ignatius  was 
put  out  of  the  church.  He,  after  receiving  absolution, 
had  sinned  more  than  once,  and  thus  it  is  with  many  who 
wish  to  draw  near  us  again,  and  fall  thereby  again  into 
the  mire,  as  if  their  punishment  were  not  yet  over. 

Wednesday,  July  2.  The  brethren  helped  us  about  our 
corn  plantation,  for  we  are  overwhelmed  with  work. 

Saturday,  5.  There  came  an  express  from  the  command- 
ant in  Detroit,  who  told  us  in  a  letter  to  Br.  David  that 
two  brothers  had  come  there  in  a  ship  from  Niagara,  who 
wished  to  see  and  speak  with  us  as  soon  as  possible.  We 
saw  from  his  letter  that  one  of  them  was  Br.  Schebosh. 
Br.  David,  with  Br.  Edwards  and  some  Indian  brothers, 
got  ready  at  once  and  went  thither  in  the  boat,  where  they, 

Sunday,  6,  arrived  betimes,  and  to  their  no  common  joy 
met  Br.  Schebosh  and  John  Weigand  (messenger  of  the 
Mission  Board),  whom  a  merchant  there  had  taken  into 
his  own  house.     At  the  same  time,  on  that  very  day,  an 


156  zeisberger's  diary. 

American,  Col.  Douglass,^  came  by  land  from  Pittsburg, 
by  whom  we  received  a  letter  from  Br.  Ettwein.^  What 
joy,  praise,  and  thanks  held  our  hearts  towards  our  dear 
Lord  is  hardly  to  be  described,  after  so  long  waiting  and 
such  long  separation  from  the  brethren  ;  when  he  sees  the 
right  time  he  certainly  helps. 

Br.  David  went  at  once  to  Col.  De  Peyster,  who  has 
been  promoted,  and  announced  his  arrival.     He  was  ex- 
tremely friendly,  and  asked  Br.  David  whether  he  knew 
Br.   Schebosh,  and  whether  he  was   an   honorable  man. 
Answer.     He  need  have  no  doubt  of  it.     He  told  us  why 
he  asked.    He  had  heard  he  had  instructions  from  Congress 
for  the  Indians.     Br.  David  answered  him,  that  he  did  not 
believe  it,  and  had  heard  nothing  nor  learned  any  thing  of 
it,  for  the  brethren  received  no  such  commissions.    He  said  : 
"  That  is  quite  enough  for  me.     The  two  brothers  can  go 
with  thee  and  dwell  with  you.     I  will  also  give  them  sup- 
plies as  long  as  yon  have  them  [and  he  gave  at  once  to 
Br.  David  a  written  order],  only  they  shall  communicate 
to  the  Indians  no  information  or  news  about  the  bounds 
of  the  land,  but  be  silent."     Two  officers  from  Congress 
came  here  to  treat  with  the  Indians,  but  he  permitted  them 
to  do  no  more  than  announce  the  peace  to  them,  for  as  yet 
he   had  no    orders   therefor   from   higher   quarters.     Br. 
David  thanked  him  very  politely  for  his  beneficence  and 

^  p]phraim  Douglass,  an  Indian  trader  before  the  Kevolution.  He  was 
sent  out,  in  accordance  with  a  resolution  of  Congress,  to  treat  with  the 
Western  Indians,  being  well  fitted  for  the  purpose  by  his  familiar  ac- 
quaintance with  the  Indian  tongues.  He  died  in  1833,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-four.— Letter  from  Hon.  Wm.  M.  Darlington. 

2  John  Ettwein  was  the  successor  of  Bishop  Seidel,  and  was  conse- 
crated Bishop  in  1784.  "Of  humble  descent,  a  shoemaker  by  trade, 
he  became  a  prince  and  a  great  man  in  Israel."  He  was  born  in  June, 
1721,  converted  in  1738,  ordained  deacon  of  the  church  1746.  In  1754 
he  came  to  America,  was  a  missionary  among  the  Indians,  pastor  of 
the  church  in  New  York  City,  and  afterwards  in  North  Carolina.  He 
visited  New  England,  preaching  in  Boston  and  laying  the  corner-stone 
of  a  Moravian  church  at  Newport.  He  was  a  man  of  extraordinary 
executive  ability.  His  death  occurred  early  in  the  year  1802.  See  De 
Schweintz'  Some  of  the  Fathers  of  the  Am.  Mor.  Church. 


VISIT    TO    DETROIT,    1783.  157 

kind  intentions,  that  be  had  so  well  provided  both  for  us 
and  our  Indians  now  for  nearly  a  year,  and  bad  given 
orders  for  supplies  till  the  end  of  October,  and  bad  cared 
for  us  as  a  father  would  have  done ;  we  were  indeed  in  no 
condition  to  make  him  any  return,  but  should  always  think 
of  him  with  appreciation  and  thankfulness;  there  was, 
however,  One  above  us  all,  our  Father  in  heaven,  who 
would  not  leave  him  unrewarded.  He  answered  that  the 
thing  in  itself  was  reward  enough  for  him,  for  he  saw  that 
what  be  had  done  had  not  been  done  in  vain,  and  that 
therefore  he  did  it  with  all  pleasure.  Since  now  he  had 
become  acquainted  with  us  and  he  was  not  likely  to  remain 
here,  he  would  make  the  request  that  after  he  was  replaced 
and  called  away,  Br.  David  would  write  to  him  from  time 
to  time  and  give  him  news  about  our  health  and  how  we 
got  on,  for  as  long  as  he  was  in  the  army  and  Br.  David 
addressed  him  a  letter,  it  would  certainly  reach  him,  be  he 
where  he  niiffht  be ;  he  did  not  know  certainlv  that  he 
would  be  called  away,  but  thus  much  he  conjectured,  that 
it  would  not  happen  before  June  of  next  year,  a^id  before 
that  time  he  would  speak  further  with  Br.  David  and  make 
arrangements  with  him.  After  Br.  David  finished  his 
business  he  took  leave  of  him  in  a  friendly  way,  and  we 
departed, 

Monday,  7,  with  the  two  brothers  from  Detroit,  and 
came, 

Tuesday,  8,  to  the  joy  of  ourselves  and  of  all  our  breth- 
ren, back  home.  Tears  of  joy  and  thankfulness  were 
shed  at  seeing  again,  alter  two  years,  brethren  from  our 
church  and  receiving  news  of  it.  We  soon  refreshed  our- 
selves with  our  letters  and  news  from  the  church,  which 
we  read  with  melted  hearts,  especially  about  the  death  of 
our  venerable,  dear  Br.  Nathaniel  (Bishop  Seidel),  in  whom 
we  lost  a  true  father,  and  of  many  other  man-servants  and 
maid-servants  of  our  Saviour. 

Wednesday,  9.  At  the  early  service  from  the  Scripture- 
verse  of  the  day,  which,  to  our  joy,  we  have  now  again 
received :  The  Lord  hear  thee  in  the  day  of  trouble,  the 
brethren  were  saluted  by  the  church  and  were  told  on  this 


158  zeisberger's  diary. 

occasion  that  the  Saviour  had  heard  the  prayer  of  so 
many  congregations  for  us,  in  his  mercy  bad  thought  of 
us,  and  had  opened  the  way  for  our  again  hearing  from 
each  other.  The  brethren  were  admonished  to  think  back 
a  little,  to  search  and  converse  with  their  hearts,  perhaps 
much  would  there  be  found,  and  their  hearts  would  tell 
them  that  our  all  falling  into  such  need  and  misery  was  in 
great  degree  brought  about  [for  this  was  reason  enough 
to  be  found]  by  our  being  sinners,  and  they  were  urged  to 
seek  comfort  and  forgiveness  with  the  Saviour.  "VVe  white 
brethren  afterwards  read  some  letters  and  journals,  where- 
from  we  saw  the  hearty  sympathy  of  our  dear  brethren  in 
our  sufferings,  for  we  perceived  with  modest  and  afiected 
hearts  their  distress  and  perplexity  about  us,  whom  may 
our  dear  Lord  and  Saviour  comfort  in  regard  to  us. 
The  rest  of  the  day  the  two  brothers  told  us  by  word  of 
mouth  how  it  stood  with  the  church  and  what  bad  hap- 
pened meanwhile,  so  that  we  forgot  all  else. 

Thursday,  10.  After  early  service  by  Br.  Heckewelder, 
in  the  co^iiniunion  quarter-hour,  announcement  was  made 
to  the  brethren  for  the  following  Saturday  that  the 
Saviour  would  give  us  food  and  drink  of  his  body  and 
blood  in  the  holy  sacrament. 

Saturday,  12.  After  the  brethren  had  been  addressed, 
we  enjoyed  his  body  and  blood  in  the  holy  communion 
with  hungry  and  thirsty  souls.  At  the  love-feast  the  let- 
ter of  Br.  Ettwein  was  read  to  the  brethren  and  the  greet- 
ing from  the  cliurch  made  known.  The  Saviour  gave  us 
back  two  brothers,  Cornelius  and  Peter,  and  two  sisters, 
Magdalena  and  Agnes,  who  were  readmitted,  to  whom  it 
was  an  unspeakable  blessing.  Again  to  others  who  yet 
remained  behind,  it  was  a  blessing  that  they  entered  their 
hearts,  where  the  Holy  Ghost  disclosed  to  them  their  faults 
and  deteriorations. 

Sunday,  13.  Br.  Edwards  preached  after  the  communion 
liturgy  and  Sensemann  held  the  congregation  meeting 
from  the  Scripture-verse  of  the  day.  Those  who  were  re- 
admitted yesterday  came  and  showed  their  joy  and  thank- 
fuhiess  for  the  mercy  which  the  Saviour  had  let  them  feel. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  159 


Monday,  14.  Br.  Michael  Jung  held  the  early  service. 
The  changeable  weather  for  more  than  a  week  now,  for  it 
has  been  very  hot,  but  is  now  so  cold  that  we  bad  to  seek 
out  our  thicker  clothes,  causes  among  us  white  brethren 
indispositions  and  fevers,  for  if  north  winds  blow  here,  it 
is  not  only  cool,  but  at  times  cold  even  in  summer. 

Tuesday,  15.  Many  of  the  brethren  went  to  the  lake  to 
get  rushes  for  making  mats  ;  they  came  back  the  16th. 

Thursday,  17.  Our  neighbor  from  the  mouth  of  the 
river  came  and  asked  that  some  Indians  might  help  him, 
he  paying  them,  to  hill  his  corn,  and  this  was  promised. 

Sundav,  20.  Br.  David  preached  from  the  words  :  De- 
part  from  me  for  I  am  a  sinful  man.  Br.  Heckewelder 
held  the  children's  hour,  Michael  the  congregation  meet- 
ing. In  the  afternoon  we  read  papers  and  letters  we  had 
received. 

Monday,  21.  Some  brothers  and  sisters  went  down  to 
Ilasel  to  help  him  on  his  j)lantation,  as  we  had  promised. 

Tuesday,  22.  Br.  Conner  came  back  from  Detroit,  where 
he  had  got  supplies.  When  we  last  got  provisions  there, 
and  he  at  the  same  time  went  with  us.  Col.  de  Peyster  re- 
fused to  let  him  have  them  longer,  and  so  he  had  to  pro- 
vide himself  with  them  by  buying  them. 

Thursday,  24.  Br.  Heckewelder  held  the  early  service. 
Some  Indian  brethren  went  off  hunting.  John,  Luke's 
son,  came  from  Sandusky,  where  he  had  been  living. 

Sunday,  27.  Br.  Heckewelder  preached.  We  laborers 
read  together  the  weekly  journal^  of  last  year's  synod 
at  Berthelsdorf  (near  Herrnhut),  with  sympathetic  hearts, 
and  gave  thanks  to  the  Saviour  who  Avas  with  them,  im- 
parting to  them  his  council  and  aid.  Br.  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse  :  He  hath 
made  his  wonderful  works  to  be  remembered:  the  Lord  is 
gracious  and  full  of  compassion,  about  the  wonder  of  won- 
ders that  God  became  man  and  for  us  gave  up  his  life  unto 
death  that  we  might  have  life  everlasting. 

Monday,  28.     Some  went  to  Detroit  to  sell  canoes  they 

^  See  introduction. 


160  zeisberger's  diary. 

bad  made.  A  white  man,  named  Homes,  came  from  the 
settlement  here  visiting  with  his  wife.  He  remained  over 
night,  and  went  back  Tuesday,  the  29th. 

Wednesday,  30.  From  the  brethren  who  came  from 
the  Fort  we  learned  that  Oswego'  is  now  garrisoned  by 
Americans.  If  this  was  true  it  was  pleasing  to  us,  for  it 
will  further  the  return  of  Br.  Weigand.  Also  some 
friendly  Delawares  came  here  visiting. 

Saturday,  Aug.  2.  Some  Frenchmen  came,  and  also 
two  Germans  from  Detroit  for  a  visit.  Heckewelder  held 
early  service. 

Note — Fine  prospect  for  a  good  harvest. 

Sunday,  3.  Br.  Edwards  preached,  David  held  the 
children's  service,  and  Sensemann  the  congregation  meet- 
ing.    We  read  together  the  weekly  journal  of  the  synod. 

Monday,  4.  Brs.  Sensemann  and  Conner  went  to  the 
Fort,  the  latter  for  provisions. 

Wednesday,  6.  Br.  David  spoke  with  A.  Charity,  bade 
her  turn  altogether  to  the  Saviour,  and  not  to  use  her 
time  in  the  church  without  blessing,  but  to  give  herself 
entirely  to  him,  to  ask  forgiveness  from  him ;  but  for  that 
a  childlike  heart  was  needful,  uprightness  towards  her 
laborers  and  the  Saviour. 

Friday,  8.  Brs.  Sensemann  and  Schebosh  from  the 
Fort,  we  had  a  letter  from  Br.  Shewkirk,'  from  New  York, 
dated  Aug.  24th  of  last  year. 

Saturda}'  9.  Tucker  came  with  his  wife  for  a  visit. 
They  asked  for  an  Indian  sister  to  be  at  tlie  lying-in  of 
their  negro  woman. 

Sunday,  10.  Br.  David  preached,  thereupon  the  com- 
munion quarter-hour.  We  laborers  continued  our  reading 
aloud  of  the  weekly  journal  of  the  synod,  and  Br.  Ed- 
wards held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  11.    We  refused  an  Indian  woman  who  wanted 


iSee  under  June  18,  1783,  p.  153. 

^Ewald  Gustavus  Shewkirk'  born  at  Stettin,  Prussia,  Feb.  28,  1725. 
He  came  to  America  in  1774,  and  served  the  church  in  various  capaci- 
ties, and  at  one  time  was  pastor  of  the  Moravian  church  in  New  York 
City.     He  was  made  bishop  in  1785,  and  died  at  Herrnhut,  in  1805. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  '  161 

to  place  her  child  with  us,  for  by  such  chiUlren  we  have  al- 
ways hitherto  been  cheated  and  deceived. 

Wednesday,  13.  We  had  the  holy  communion,  at  which 
our  dear  Lord  came  very  graciously  to  us  and  blessed  us 
with  his  near  presence. 

Thursday,  14.  Joseph  and  his  wife,  also  Magdalena, 
went  to  the  Fort  to  sell  canoes. 

Sunday,  17.  Heckewelder  preached,  thereupon  we  read 
the  weekly  journal  of  the  synod,  the  end  of  which  we 
reached  to-day,  and  we  thanked  the  Saviour  for  having 
been  with  the  members  of  the  synod,  for  having  imparted 
to  them  his  advice  and  intelligence  for  the  blessing  and 
advantage  of  his  churches,  who  now  enjoyed  them  to- 
gether, and  we  also.  Br.  David  held  the  congregation 
meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse:  Blessed  is  the  man 
whom  thou  choosest  and  causest  to  approach  unto  thee 
that  he  may  dwell  in  thy  courts.  We  shall  be  satisfied 
with  the  goodness  of  thy  house.  Also  the  children  of  the 
church  shall  fully  enjoy  it.  O  Lord,  let  them  be  thine 
own  through  the  shedding  of  thy  blood. 

Monday,  18.  Br.  Jungmann  held  the  early  service,  and 
Tuesday,  the  19th,  Br.  Edward^.  Some  brethren,  went  to 
the  settlements,  with  baskets  and  brooms  to  sell. 

Wednesday,  20.  Michael  held  early  service.  In  our 
conference  we  considered  which  one  of  us  should  go  with 
Br.  Weigand  to  Bethlehem ;  inasmuch  as  none  of  the  mar- 
ried brethren  wished  to  go  this  time,  except  Br.  Jung- 
mann, who  declared  himself  ready,  but  this  did  not  have 
our  approval,  our  choice  had  to  be  made  from  the  two 
unmarried  brothers.  They  let  it  rest  upon  the  choice  and 
approbation  of  the  Savipur,  and  it  fell  to  the  lot  of  Br. 
Michael  Jung  to  go  with  Br.  John  Weigand  to  Bethlehem. 

Friday,  22.  Some  brethren  who  had  gone  to  the  settle- 
ment came  back.  Sensemann  held  the  early  service. 
Both  we  and  the  Indians  were  busy  farming. 

Saturday,  23.     Br.  David  held  early  service.  , 

Sunday,  24.  Br.  Edwards  preached.  In  the  service 
for  the  baptized,  in  the  afternoon,  Thomas  was  absolved 
11 


162  zetsberger's  diary. 

and  again  admitted  to  the  church.     Br.  Jungmann  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  25.     Br.  David  held  early  service. 

Tuesday,  26.  The  child  of  Thomas  and  Sahina,  some 
nine  months  old,  was  baptized  with  the  name  Eosina. 
Heckewelder  and  Schebosh  went  to  the  Fort,  among  other 
things,  to  find  out  about  the  sailing  of  ships  for  Niagara. 
On, 

Thursday,  28,  they  came  back,  bringing  news  that  in  a 
few  days  a  ship  would  sail  for  Niagara. 

[So  far  the  diary  to  Bethlehem.] 

Saturday,  30.  The  brothers,  David,  Edwards,  and 
Sensemann  went  with  Brs.  John  Weigand  and  Michael 
Jung  to  Detroit,  the  last  two  to  sail  for  Niagara  on  their 
journey  to  Bethlehem.  In  the  early  service  we  committed 
these  brethren  to  the  remembrance  of  the  brethren  during 
their  journey,  that  the  Saviour  should  bring  them,  with 
good  fortune  and  health  to  their  destination,  that  our 
brethren  might  have  perfect  information  about  us.  On 
account  of  stormy  weather,  however,  by  which  they  were 
kept  back  on  the  lake,  they  got  there, 

Tuesday,  Sept.  2,  and  since  the  ship  had  already  sailed 
two  days  before,  they  must  wait  for  another.  Thus,  after 
a  tender  separation,  we  came  back  to  Gnadenhiitten,^ 

Thursday,  4,  on  the  same  day  Jeremy,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Sarah,  was  buried.  A  frost  that  fell  on  the  night  of 
Sept.  1,  did  much  damage  in  the  fields  and  gardens,  but 
yet  not  to  the  corn. 

Saturday,  6.  Sent  an  express  to  Detroit,  with  a  letter 
to  Brs.  John  Weigand  and  Michael  Jung,  for  Bethlehem. 
The  messenger  returned  the  following  forenoon,  when  we 
learned  from  their  letters  they  were  still  waiting  fo.r  a  ship, 
and  did  not  know  when  they  should  sail.  We  had  to-day 
a  visit  from  Mr.  Isaac  Williams,  of  Detroit,  his  wife,  and 
some  others,  who  made  a  journey  here  for  their  health  by 


^Tbis  is  the  first  time  in  this  diary  that  the  settlement  on  Clinton 
river  is  spoken  of  by  name.  .  Usually  it  is  called  New  Gnadenhiitten 
for  the?  sake  of  distinction. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  163 

the  lake,  but  were  very  sea-sick.  In  the  evening  was  the 
burial  of  the  departed  Anna,  Abraham's  wife,  who  died  yes- 
terday evening.  Jan.  6, 1771,  a  widow,  she  had  followed  us 
from  Gosohgoschiink,^  in  the  year  '70,  to  Languntoutenunk 
(on  the'Beaver),  where  she  was  baptized  by  Br.  Jungmann, 
and  on  the  11th  of  April,  1772,  came  to  the  enjoyment  of 
the  Lord's  supper.  Jan.  16,  1774,  she  was  united  in  holy 
matrimony  to  the  assistant,  Abraham,  then  a  widower. 
She  always  went  a  blessed  way,  so  that  we  could  always 
rejoice  in  her.  But  when  her  children,  a  son  and  a  daugh- 
ter, were  grown  up,  and  had  married  in  the  church,  she 
gave  all  her  care  to  their  chihlren,  forgot  herself  and  suf- 
fered harm  in  her  heart,  and  though  she  was  often  reminded 
of  this,  she  could  not  forbear,  whereby  she  grew  cold  and 
dry  in  heart,  and  at  times  had  to  remain  away  from 
the  supper  of  our  Lord.  Thus  was  she  always  variable, 
for  in  the  disposition  of  heart  she  was  pleasant  and  good. 
She  had  a  lovely  gift  of  speaking  with  sisters,  of  giving 
them  good  advice,  and  of  directing  them  to  the  Saviour. 
She  was  wonderfully  loved  among  the  brethren,  and  this 
was  especially  evident  during  her  sickness,  for  the  sisters 
visited  her  very  assiduously.  From  her  whole  conduct  it 
could  be  seen  she  was  chosen  of  the  Lord,  who  led  her, 
and  did  not  let  her  go  from  his  hand.  In  all  our  calamities 
of  the  last  two  years  she  stood  iirm  and  steadfast;  nothing 
had  might  or  power  to  turn  her  from  the  church.  She 
was  also  among  the  first  to  come  to  us  in  Detroit  and  help 
make  the  beginning  here.  Two  months  ago  she  fell  sick 
and  has  so  continued  since.  All  relief  she  tried  was  of  no 
avail.  In  her  sickness  she  invited  difierent  sisters  to  come 
to  her  to  whom  she  thought  she  had  spoken  too  directly, 
when  she  had  only  spoken  the  truth  to  them,  and  begged 
them  all  for  forgiveness.  One  sister,  Martha,  a  widow,  an- 
swered her  it  was  not  so,  whereupon  she  said  :  "  IlTow  I  am 
ready,  and  nothing  else  keeps  me  from,  going  to  the 
Saviour."     She  admonished  her  children  to  remain  with 


^Thia  town  was  on  the  Alleghany,  near  the  mouth  of  Tionesta  creek, 
not  to  be  confounded  with  Goschachgiink,  Coshocton,  O. 


164  zeisberger's  diary. 

the  church  and  the  Saviour  all  their  lives,  and  her  daugh- 
ter she  committed  to  her  husband  to  act  towards  her  as  a 
father.  The  brothers  and  sisters  often  went  to  her  and 
sang  hymns,  which  she  liked  to  hear.  But  for  her  the 
Saviour  was  too  long  in  coming  and  taking  her  to  himself 
and  in  bringing  her  to  her  blessed  hope.  At  ten  o'clock 
last  evening  she  had  Br.  David  called,  but  she  could  say 
little  more,  but  said  with  difficulty,  only  that  she  wished 
to  go  to  the  Saviour.  He  sang  to  her  some  hymns,  and 
during  the  words :  I  shall  as  my  Master  be — Clothed  with 
humility — Simple,  teachable,  and  mild — Changed  into  a 
little  child — he  blessed  her,  and  she  fell  asleep  in  a  moment 
under  his  hand,  softly  and  blessedly, 

Sunday,  7.  The  married  brethren  celebrated  their  fes- 
tival. At  morning  prayer,  Br.  Jungmann  asked  for  us  the 
Saviour's  near  presence  and  bloody  blessing  for  this  day, 
thereupon  was  the  consideration  of  to-day's  text :  They 
shall  be  all  taught  of  God.  Every  man,  therefore,  that  hath 
heard  and  hath  learned  of  the  father,  cometh  unto  me; 
about  learning  to  pass  over  to  blessedness,  not  to  vex 
ourselves  vainly  in  the  church  and  to  make  life  hard,  but  to 
seek  to  make  serviceable  the  merit  of  Jesus,  from  which 
we  have  all  that  is  good  and  blessed,  and  to  have  a  share 
in  it.  In  the  afternoon  was  a  love-feast,  and  in  the 
evening  Br.  Edwards  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  8.  Most  of  the  brethren  went  to  make  canoes, 
by  which  they  can  earn  something,  for  they  get  a  good 
price  for  them. 

Wednesday,  10.  A  Mohican,  a  friend  of  Christina,  came 
here  visiting;  his  brother  has  remained  in  Gnadenhiitten. 

Saturday,  13.  This  week  many  were  busy  building.  It 
was  again  beautiful,  warm,  pleasant  weather,  but  the  frost 
has  already  done  much  harm  to  many  crops,  and  many 
brethren  will  get  no  corn,  for  the  frosts  came  this  year  much 
earlier  than  is  usual  at  other  times.  Besides,  our  Indian 
brethren  did  not  plant  the  right  sort  of  corn,  but  a  sort  which 
does  not  ripen  here,  which  they  brought  as  seed  from  the 
Shawanese  towns.  Now  we  find  the  diiference  between  here 
and  the  Muskingum  very  noticeable,  and  here  corn  must  be 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  165 

planted  which  ripens  earlier.  Beans,  cucumbers,  and 
pumpkins  have  hardly  begun  to  bear,  and  yet  are  frost- 
bitten. 

Sunday,  14.  Br.  David  preached  about  the  foremost 
commandment :  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God.  Sense- 
maun  held  the  children's  service,  and  Heckewelder  the  con- 
gregation meeting. 

Monday,  15.  Most  of  the  brethren  went  to  make  canoes. 
Br.  David  held  early  service. 

Wednesday,  17.  Chippewas  came  to  trade  some  corn 
they  brought. 

Saturday,  20.  Schebosh  returned  from  Detroit  and 
brought  word  that  Brs.  John  Weigand  and  Michael  Jung 
had  already  sailed  on  the  6th  Inst.,  which  was  pleasant  for 
us  to  hear. 

Sunday  21.  Br.  Edwards  preached,  Br.  David  held  the 
communion  quarter-hour  from  the  text,  and  Br.  Jungmann 
the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse  of  the 
day. 

Wednesday,  24.  Several  houses  have  been  blocked  out 
this  week;  the  weather  has  been  fine  and  warm,  so  that 
we  have  good  hope  that  our  corn,  which  was  planted  quite 
too  late,  will  yet  get  ripe  and  dry. 

Friday,  26.  Br.  Jungmann  and  his  wife  talked  with 
the  brethren  yestm^day  and  to-day  about  the  Lord's  sup- 
per, and  to  our  joy  found  them  hungry  and  thirsty  for  this 
great  good.  We  laborers  had  a  conference,  and  at  the 
same  time  a  thorough  and  earneSt  talk  together,  so  that  we 
were  somewhat  hard  upon  one  another,  which  was  yet  not 
without  a  blessing.     Two  white  people  came. 

Saturday,  27.  We  had  the  supper  of  our  Lord,  and  en- 
joyed his  body  and  blood  with  hungry  and  thirsty  hearts. 
A  brother,  Ephraim,  and  a  sister,  Sabina,  were  again  read- 
mitted, to  whom  it  was  an  unspeakable  blessiijg. 

Note. — John  Heckewelder  administered'  it.  A  sister,  Agnes,  re- 
ceived it  on  her  sick-bed. 

Sunday,  28.     Br.  David  read  the  communion  liturgy  and 
'This  word  is  conjectured. 


166  zeisberger's  diary. 

held  the  children's  service.  Br.  Sensemann  preached  and 
Br.  JuDgmann  held  the  congregation  meeting.  The  as- 
sistants, Samuel  and  Abraham,  encouraged,  edified,  and 
exhorted  the  brethren  here  and  there  in  their  houses  to  a 
holv  life  and  to  walkino-  with  Christ. 

"Wednesday,  Oct.  1.  Most  of  the  brethren  and  sisters 
went  to  Detroit  with  canoes  they  had  made  to  sell  them, 
for  they  get  a  good  price,  and  with  this  can  buy  something 
there,  most  of  them  being  as  badly  oft'  for  clothes  as  they 
have  ever  been,  for  during  the  war  and  famine  they  had 
to  make  every  eftbrt  to  support  their  families.  Br.  Ed- 
wards also  went  to  Detroit  on  business. 

Saturday,  4.  Two  Frenchmen  came  here  with  apples  to 
sell.  We  white  brethren  were  busy  building,  and  partly, 
too,  in  the  fields,  otherwise  few  brethren  were  at  home. 

Siindav,  5.  Instead  of  a  sermon  Br.  David  read  from 
the  History  of  the  Days  of  the  Son  of  Man  something 
from  the  sayings  of  the  Saviour.  Br.  Edwards  returned 
from  Detroit,  by  whom  we  had  a  letter  fro*m  Br.  Ettwein 
from  Bethlehem  of  May  20th,  from  which  to  our  hearty  joy 
we  had  the  pleasure  of  learning  that  Br.  John,^  from  Europe, 
was  expected  in  Bethlehem  for  a  visitation  of  the  Ameri- 
can church.  David  held  the  congregation  meeting  in  the 
Indian  tongue.     We  read  the  proceedings  of  the  synod. 

Monday,  6.  Most  of  the  brethren  came  back  from  De- 
troit, where  they  sold  a  dozen  canoes,  some  of  them  quite 
large  ones,  and  with  the  money  from  these  they  provided 
themselves  with  clothes  for  the  winter;  thus  by  the  guid- 
ance of  our  heavenlv  Father  the  brethren  find  the  means 


1  Baron  .John  de  Watteville,  the  son  of  a  clergyman,  was  born  in 
Thuringia,  in  1718.  While  a  student  of  theology  at  Jena  he  became 
the  friend  of  Count  Christian  Zinzendorf.  In  1739  he  was  ordained  a 
clergyman,  and  in  1747  was  consecrated  bishop.  His  wife  was  the 
daughter  of  Count  Zinzendorf.  He  first  came  to  America  in  174S,  vis- 
ited various  missions  on  the  continent  and  in  the  islands,  and  carried 
into  effect  changes  in  the  government  of  the  church.  In  1783  he 
made  a  second  visit  to  America,  and  was  here  four  years.  Soon  after 
his  return  to  Europe  he  died'  (1788). — De  Schwinietz'  Some  of  the 
Fathers  of  the  Am.  Mor.  Church. 


CLINTON   RIVER,    1783.  167 

of  supporting  themselves  and  their  families.  The  widows 
make  baskets,  brooms,  and  mats,  all  of  which  they  can  sell 
at  a  good  price,  and  since  there  are  now  this  year  many 
acorns  in  the  bush,  they  gather  them  and  sell  them  at  a 
good  price,  and  thus,  if  they  are  industrious,  they  can 
earn  something  in  one  way  or  another,  and  seek  to  help 
themselves. 

Wednesday,  8.  John  (Heckewelder)  held  the  early  serv-. 
ice  from  the  Scripture-verse:  The  Lord  is  round  about 
his  people  from  henceforth  even  forever.  Rejoice  little 
flock.  Br.  Edwards  went  with  a  boat  load  of  potatoes, 
cabbages,  and  turnips  to  Detroit,  for  which  we  thought  to 
pay  some  debts  we  had  to  incur  in  our  need. 

Saturdav,  11.  David  held  earlv  service.  This  week  the 
brethren  began  to  harvest  in  the  fields,  and  to  parch  and 
dry  the  green  corn,  not  yet  ready,  from  being  planted  too 
late. 

Sunday,  12.  David  preached,  Sensemann  held  the  chil- 
dren's service.  We  read  from  the  journal  of  the  synod 
about  the  churches  and  choirs.  Heckewelder  held  the 
congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  13.     Br.  Edwards  came  back  from  Detroit. 

Tuesday,  14.  The  Chippewa  chief  came  here;  as  he 
was  from  the  bush,  and  had  nothing  to  eat,  Br.  Abraham 
collected  some  corn  and  pumpkins  for  him  among  the 
brethren  and  gave  them  to  him,  for  which  he  was  very 
thankful.  His  wife  is  the  cousin  of  the  late  Netawat- 
wes,  and  the  near  friend  of  our  Thomas  here.  Thomas 
told  them  for  the  first  time  something  about  the  Saviour, 
for  he  knows  Shawano;  they  listened  but  kept  quite 
silent. 

Thursday,  16.  Some  brethren  went  to  the  plains  for  the 
autumn  hunt;  the  sisters  at  home  were  industriouslj''  at 
work  in  the  fields  harvesting, 

Sunday,  19.  Br.  Edward  preached  and  Sensemann  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 

Wednesday,  22.  Chippewas  went  through  here,  up  the 
creek,  on  their  wa}'  hunting.  They  observed  how  our 
town  had  grown.     Our  Indian  brethren  hunting. 


168  zeisberger's  diary. 

Sunday,  26.  Heckewelder  preached.  In  the  afternoon 
was  a  reading  of  the  synodal  proceedings.  Edwards  held 
the  congregation  meeting.  After  this  to  the  communion 
brethren  was  announced  the  supper  of  our  Lord  in  the 
holy  sacrament. 

Monday,  27.  The  Indians  went  to  their  hunting  camp. 
They  came  in  to  the  Sunday  services,  for  the  autumn  hunt 
is  on.  A  white  man  came  from  Detroit,  from  whom  we 
learned  that  Niagara  is  garrisoned  by  Americans.  Sense- 
manu  and  Schebosh  came  back  from  Detroit. 

Wednesday,  29.  Br.  Zeisberger  and  his  wife  spoke 
with  the  brethren  to-day,  and  the  following  days,  about 
the  Lord's  supper,  and  the  others  likewise,  and  found  to 
their  comfort  and  joy  the  Holy  Ghost  busy  with  their 
hearts. 

Friday,  31.  In  our  conference  we  had  the  joy  of  having 
the  Saviour  again  send  us  four  brethren,  whom  he  per- 
mitted in  the  holy  communion  to  enjoy  his  body  and  blood, 
which  we  the  day  after, 

Saturday,  l^oveniber  1,  enjoyed  with  hungry  and  thirsty 
hearts. 

Sunday,  2.  David  read  the  communion  liturgy.  Ed- 
wards preached  about  the  marriage  feast,  whereto  men 
were  invited  to  appear  in  the  garments  of  righteousness. 
David  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  3.     Agnes  died  in  peace. 

Tuesday,  4.  Her  remains  were  buried.  She  was  bap- 
tized by  Br.  Martin  Mack,^  in  Old  Grnadenhiitten  (Carbon 
Co.,  Pa.),  on  the  Mahony,  Sept.  5,  1751,  and  came  after- 
wards to  the  enjoyment  of  the  Lord's  supper.  She  went 
through  all  the  fatalities,  difficulties,  and  changes  through 
which   the   Indian   church  passed.     In  the  year  1755,  in 

'John  Martin  Mack  was  by  birth  a  Wiirtemberger.  In  1734,  at  the 
age  of  nineteen,  he  went  to  Herrnhut,  and  was  disposed  to  remain 
there,  but  two  years  later  he  came  to  America.  Here  he  had  part  in 
.all  the  undertakings  of  the  brothers,  laboring  in  the  Indian  missions 
for  nearly  twenty  years.  In  1762,  he  sailed  to  St.  Thomas  to  serve  in 
the  mission  among  negro  slaves.  To  this  work  he  gave  the  rest  of  his 
life,  coming  to  Bethlehem  in  1770  to  be  consecrated  bishop,  and  visit- 
ing Germany  ten  years  later.     He  died  in  1784. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  169 

]N"ov.,  when  Guadenhiitten  was  destroyed  and  burnt  by  the 
Indians,  she  went  to  Nain,  near  Bethlehem,  and  in  the 
year  1763  into  the  barracks  in  Philadelphia.  In  1765, 
when  peace  and  quiet  were  again  established,  she  moved 
with  the  Indian  church  to  Friedenshiitten  on  the  Susque- 
hanna. In  the  spring  of  1772  she  came  with  others  to  the 
Ohio,  first  to  Languntoutenlink  (Friedensstadt  on  the 
Beaver),  and  the  year  after  to  Guadenhiitten  on  the  Mus- 
kingum, from  which  she  had  to  fiee  and  return  to  Lichtenau 
in  the  year  '78,  on  account  of  the  war  troubles ;  here  she  re- 
main<;d  a  year,  and  in  '79  again  went  to  Guadenhiitten. 
In  the  year  1781,  when  the  Indian  church  on  the  Mus- 
kingum, with  its  teachers,  was  carried  away  captive,  and 
brought  to  Sandusky,  she  had  part  in  all  the  hardships  we 
encountered,  and  since  she  was  a  widow,  for  her  husband 
had  died  not  long  before  in  Gnadenhiitten,  she  had  a  hard 
time,  suffered  hunger,  as  did  all  of  us,  but  in  all  our  need 
she  hung  upon  the  Saviour  and  the  church,  and  nothing 
separated  her  from  him  and  the  church.  In  1782,  when 
the  Indian  church  was  altogether  robbed  of  its  teachers, 
for  they  were  all  taken  to  Detroit,  she  clung  to  the  greater 
number,  and  lived  a  year  in  the  Shawanese  towns.  When 
she  heard  that  the  brethren,  her  teachers,  with  some  In- 
dian brethren,  were  again  settling,  with  others  also,  in  the 
spring  of  1783,  she  got  ready,  and  in  the  beginning  of  May» 
this  year,  came  to  us  here,  sickly  as  she  was,  with  the  in- 
tention rather  to  die  in  the  church  than  among  the  sav- 
ages, and  this  the. Saviour  also  advised.  She  came  again 
to  the  enjoyment  of  the  Lord's  supper,  and  was  right 
blessed,  but  in  her  body  she  was  no  longer  well,  but  wasted 
away  until  on  the  day  before  mentioned,  easily  and  bless- 
edly she  died  in  his  arms  and  bosom.  She  is  a  clear  ex- 
ample and  proof  that  whoever  has  a  true  heart,  him  he 
helps  through  all  tribulations,  and  upholds  him  also  to 
the  end  of  all  need  through  himself  and  his  wounds. 

To-day  went  Brs.  Heckewelder  and  Sensemann  with 
many  Indian  brethren  in  the  boat  to  Detroit  to  buy  some 
necessities  for  the  winter,  before  the  strong  cold  comes  on 
and  the  lake  is  frozen.     They  came  back  on  the  8th. 


170  zeisberger's  diary. 

Friday,  7.  By  one  of  our  young  Indians,  Daniel  by 
name,  who  came  herefrom  the  neis^hborhood  of  the  Shaw- 
anese  towns,  we  had  news  that  Mark  had  suddenly  there 
gone  from  time. 

Sunday,  9.  Br.  David  preached  from  the  Epistle,  Eph., 
vi,  10  :  Finally,  my  brethren,  be  strong  in  the  Lord  and 
in  the  power  of  his  might. 

Br.  Edwards  conducted  the  children's  service  and  Hecke- 
welder  the  cons^res-ation  meetins:. 

Monday,  10.  The  above  mentioned  Daniel,  an  unmar- 
ried man,  son  of  Philip,  the  Mohican,  who  perished  at 
Gnadenhiitten,  asked  to  be  taken  back  to  live  in  the 
church.  He  told  to  Br.  David  quite  sincerely  his  course 
of  life  since  our  departure  from  Sandusky;  whereupon 
Br.  David  asked  him  how  it  was  now  and  what  his 
thoughts  were.  He  answered  :  "  I  am  sick  and  tired  of 
the  heathen  life  and  conduct,  and  will  now  live  for  the 
Saviour;  formerly  when  I  lived  in  the  church  I  could  not 
say  this,  for  I  always  thought  to  iind  pleasure  in  the 
world.  I  knew  not  how  to  value  what  it  is  to  be  in  the 
church,  but  it  is  now  my  intention  to  make  better  use  of 
it."  We  had  no  hesitation  about  receiving  him  and  to 
use  pity,  coniidence,  and  diligence  with  our  young  peo- 
ple, for  we  have  found  from  repeated  experience  that  the 
pains  we  have  taken  with  them,  even  if  we  must  have 
trouble  and  vexation  with  them,  are  not  in  vain,  and  that 
the  Saviour  lets  them  thrive  and  come  to  a  blessino;.  We 
must  especially  wonder  that  our  young  people,  even 
when  they  had  their  freedom  and  nobody  hindered  them 
from  running  straight  into  heathenism,  more  than  the 
older  people,  have  yet  stood  fast,  have  not  forgotten  their 
teachers,  nor  thrown  them  aside,  but  have  longed  for 
them  again  and  have  pleasure  and  inclination  for  God's 
word  ;  from  this  can  be  seen  that  the  Saviour  holds  his 
hand  over  these,  our  youth,  and  that  his  eye  watches  over 
them. 

To-day  were  the  remains  of  the  little  Rebecca  buried, 
six  years,  nine  months  old,  who  died  yesterday,  a  dear 
child,  that  loved  the  Saviour  and  willingly  went  to  hira, 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  171 

as  she  said  to  Br.  David,  whom  tvrice  she  had  called  to  her, 
and  only  an  hour  before  her  death  said  that  she  was  go- 
ins^  to  the  Saviour. 

Thnrsdaj,  13.  At  morning  prayer  the  feast  of  the 
Elder  of  his  church  was  announced  and  we  asked  for  his 
near  presence  this  day  and  for  his  bloody  blessing  in  our 
hearts.  Br.  Heckev/elder  delivered  the  public  sermon, 
and  then  the  baptized  brethren  had  a  festival -discourse, 
and  last  we  prayed  to  our  Lord  and  Elder,  thanked 
him  for  his  guidance  and  recognition  of  us,  begged  par- 
don for  all  our  sins,  and  that  we  had  given  him  trouble, 
vowed  fealty  and  obedience  to  him,  and  he  let  his  friendly 
face  shine  over  us,  blessed  us  and  sent  us  his  peace. 

To-day  we  again  made  a  beginning  with  our  Assist- 
ants' Conference,  which  has  hitherto  been  omitted,  for 
we  have  had  only  the  two  assistants,  Abraham  and  Sam- 
uel. Now  these  two  and  Cornelius,  Schebosh,  and  Bath- 
sheba,  with  us  white  laborers,  form  the  Assistants'  Con- 
ference. They  were  exhorted  to  love  and  unity  among 
themselves,  as  something  in  which  they  had  failed  before 
this  time,  to  treat  the  brethren  with  love  and  compassion, 
not  to  be  stern  and  harsh  towards  them  [which  is  a  pecu- 
liarity of  the  Indians]  if  with  one  another  things  went 
not  well,  but  to  let  them  feel  their  loving  and  sympathetic 
heart. 

Friday,  14.  Since  a  fine,  fresh  snow  fell  last  night  and 
the  hunters  went  out,  there  was  brought  in  to-day  a  fine 
number  of  deer,  which  are  now  quite  fat.  Abraham  took 
a  rare  animal  and  quite  unknown  to  our  Indians.  It 
was  larger  and  heavier  than  a  raccoon ;  its  head  and 
mouth  are  just  the  same,  but  its  feet  and  legs  are  short 
and  shaped  like  those  of  a  mole  or  a  beaver's  feet.  The 
Chippewas  say  they  run  under  ground  like  moles,  al- 
though they  are  so  big,  and  they  are  very  fat.  This  was 
the  English  badger. 

Sunday,  16,  Sensemann  preached.  We  had  a  reading 
service,^  and  Jungmann  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

^  By  this  is  meant  a  public  reading  of  reports  from  missions  or  of 
lessons  from  the  Scriptures. 


172  zeisberger's  diary. 

Monday,  17.  Many  sisters  went  to  seek  for  hemp  with 
Samuel  and  other  brothers,  into  the  hilly  land  where 
they  found  enough  of  it,  wherewith  and  also  wnth  meat  they 
came  home  heavily  laden  on  the  22d.  Since  they  are  not 
used  to  a  flat  country,  they  have  always  much  pleasure  in 
seeing  hills  again,  which  begin  a  good  day's  journey  from 
here.  Chippewas  encamped  not  far  from  here,  near  a 
dead  horse,  and  they  stayed  until  they  had  eaten  it  up, 
for  it  is  their  custom  to  eat  dead  cattle. 

Thursday,  20.  Conner  came  back  from  the  Fort,  and 
also  an  Englishman,  named  Homes,  came  from  the  settle- 
ments, who  remained  until  the  23d.  They  are  all,  however, 
either  somewhat  honest,  simple  folk  or  men  of  this  world. 
In  none  of  them  are  found  desire  and  inclination  for  any 
thing  good  or  for  God's  word,  but  it  is  a  place  quite  dead 
and  dark,  where  men  live  for  the  day  only,  undisturbed 
about  their  souls,  and  seek  only  for  money  and  goods. 

Saturday,  22.  Absolution  was  given  to  Renatus,  the 
Mohican,  at  his  request,  upon  his  sick-bed.  He  said : 
''Three  things  distress  me;  the  first  is  the  forgiveness  of 
my  sins,  the  second  to  know  that  my  wife  and  children 
will  remain  with  the  church  when  I  am  gone,  and  the 
third  that  linen  fails  me  for  my  shroud."  After  he  was 
absolved,  he  said :  "  ISTow  is  it  well  with  me,  and  I  rejoice 
to  go  to  the  Saviour.  I  wish  not  to  be  again  restored  to 
health,  but  my  wish  is  that  he  may  take  me  to  himself." 

Sunday,  23.  Br.  David  preached  from  Phil,  iii,  17: 
Mark  them  which  walk  so  as  ye  have  us  for  an  ensample. 
Heckewelder  held  the  congregation  meeting.  For  two 
days  it  has  been  very  cold.  The  river  and  lake  begin  to 
freeze.  We  read  to-day  from  the  synodal  journal  about 
church  conferences. 

Monday,  24.  We  recalled  the  calamity  on  the  Mahony^ 
twenty-eight  years  ago. 

Thursday,  27.  Our  people  went  to  the  hills  for  their 
autumn  hunt ;  for  the  most  part,  only  sisters  are  at  home. 

^  Where,  in  1755,  perished  ten  .persons  at  the  hands  of  the  Indians. 
For  full  account  see  De  Schwineitz'  Life  of  Zeisberger,  Chap.  xii. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  173 

Friday,  28.  By  the  Indian,  Adam,  from  the  Fort,  I 
had  a  letter  dated  July  4,  from  Br.  Shewkirk,  in  J^ew 
York,  by  way  of  Quebec  and  Niagara,  which  the  com- 
mandant. Col.  de  Peyster,  sent  to  me. 

Sunday,  30.  [1st  day  of  Advent.]  Br.  David  preached 
in  the  Indian  language,  for  no  interpreter  was  present, 
about  the  joy  of  the  children  of  God  at  the  incarnation 
of  the  Saviour,  that  he  had  taken  our  flesh  and  blood  that 
he  might  offer  himself  for  us  upon  the  cross  to  reconcile 
us  with  God.  Heckewelder  held  the  congregation  meeting. 
To-day  and  yesterday  it  snowed,  as  it  has  already  done 
several  times  this  autumn,  but  no  snow  has  yet  remained. 

Monday,  Dec.  1.  Some  brethren  went  off  to  the  hunt- 
ers to  get  meat.     They  came, 

Wednesday,  3,  home,  and  also  many  of  the  Indian 
brethren  from  the  hunt,  but  they  got  little,  since  many 
Chippewas  are  also  oft"  hunting  in  that  neighborhood. 
Thus  our  Indians  earn  little  hunting,  and  yet  they  find  it 
necessary,  in  order  to  get  corn  for  their  families,  and  they 
must  try  to  get  something  by  their  labor. 

Thursday,  4.  There  were  among  our  people  unpleasant 
things  to  arrange.  A  sister  wished  to  go  from  the  church, 
but  she  thought  better  of  it,  and  found  her  heart. 

Sunday,  7.  In  the  sermon  by  Br.  Heckewelder,  about 
the  wicked,  last  times  which  would  come  over  the  whole 
circle  of  the  world,  two  white  people  from  the  mouth  of  the 
river  were  present.  In  the  communion  quarter-hour  about 
the  text  :  Come  for  all  things  are  now  ready,  the  brethren 
became  as  it  were  reconciled,  their  hearts  were  washed  with 
the  blood  of  Christ,  and  they  were  clad  with  the  cloak  of 
righteousness ;  they  were  invited  to  receive  his  body  and  to 
drink  his  blood  next  Saturday.  Sensemann  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse :  Let  thy 
priests  be  clothed  with  righteousness :  and  let  thy  saints 
shout  for  joy. 

Tuesday,  9.  For  a  time  we  have  had  quite  cold  weather 
and  a  good  deal  of  snow  has  fallen,  but  now  a  thaw  sets 
in  and  the  weather  is  so  warm  that  the  snow  has  all  gone 
off. 


174  zeisberger's  diary. 

Friday,  12.  To-day  and  yesterday  we  spoke  witli  the 
brethren  about  the  Lord's  supper.  AVe  found  them  walk- 
ing with  the  Saviour  and  longing  for  his  body  and  blood. 
Bathsheba  spoke  to  some  Chippewa  women,  encamped 
near  us  in  tlie  bush,  about  the  Saviour,  but  they  did  not 
understand  very  well.  The  brethren  repaired  our  chapel, 
and  caulked  it  with  moss  against  the  winter. 

Saturday,  13.  Br.  Schebosh  returned  from  the  Fort. 
"We  heard  that  this  autumn  in  a  storm  three  ships  in 
Lake  Erie  and  four  in  Lake  Ontario  had  been  wrecked 
and  entirely  lost.  At  the  Lord's  supper,  Sabina,  Adam's 
wife,  was  present  for  the  first  time. 

Sunday,  14.  After  the  communion  liturgy  Br.  Edwards 
preached  from  the  text :  The  poor  have  the  gospel 
preached  to  them.  A  wonderful  movement  was  observed 
among  the  brethren  who  are  not  yet  quite  in  order,  being 
still  behindhand,  so  that  they  begin  to  long  to  come  into 
the  right  way.  David  held  the  service  for  the  children, 
whom  he  encouraged  to  give  their  hearts  and  to  receive 
the  childlike  Jesus.  Br.  Sensemann  held  the  congrega- 
tion meeting. 

Monday,  15.  Br.  Edwards  went  with  several  of  our  Li- 
dian  brethren  to  Detroit  and  came  back  the  18th. 

16.  Peggy  Conner  became  the  mother  of  a  daughter 
that,  Sunday  21st,  was  baptized  with  the  name  Susanna. 
At  the  sermon  our  neighbor,  Edward  Hasle,  was  present 
with  his  wife,  who  came  here  visiting  last  evening.  Aft- 
erwards was  a  service  for  the  baptized.  They  were  re- 
minded of  the  covenant  they  had  made  with  the  Saviour 
at  baptism,  were  urged  to  search  themselves  to  see  how 
they  had  kept  it ;  that  the  Saviour  would  not  let  himself 
be  put  ofif  with  fine  promises,  but  required  upright  hearts 
from  those  with  whom  it  was  truth  and  who  showed  it 
by  their  works.  Heckewelder  held  the  congregation 
meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse  on  St.  Thomas'  day: 
That  ye  may  tell  it  to  the  generation  following.  For  this 
God  is  our  G-od  for  ever  and  ever.  I  place  my  hand  in 
Jesus'  side  and  say :  My  Lo.rd  and  my  God. 


CLIMTON    RIVER,    1783.  175 

23.  For  the  first  time  a  Chippewa  woman  was  at  the 
earlj  service,  who  understood  Delaware. 

Wednesday,  24.  We  began  Christmas  with  a  love-feast 
and  rejoiced  in  God,  our  Saviour,  who  for  us' became  man, 
was  born  in  a  stable  in  Bethlehem  in  a  manger,  and  we 
thanked  him  for  his  blessed  incarnation  and  prayed  to 
him  upon  our  knees.  He  made  himself  known  to  us,  made 
us  feel  that  he  was  with  us.  Our  hearts  were  aroused  and 
many  tears  were  shed. 

Thursday,  25.  Br.  Heckewelder  preached  from  the 
Epistle:  For  the  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation, 
hath  appeared  to  all  men.  Two  white  peoi:)le  came  to  hear 
the  sermon.  In  a  service  for  the  baptized  afterwards  three 
brothers  and  a  sister  were  absolved  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands,  who,  since  they  came  to  us  last  spring,  could  not 
be  refreshed  and  healed,  naniel}',  Luke,  Joshua,  Andrew, 
and  Sister  Amelia,  Cornelius's  wife,  a  service  especially 
blessed  by  the  Saviour,  and  above  all  there  was  a  thorough 
work  of  grace  among  the  children  and  adults,  as  we  had 
already  often 'wished  ;  and  others  who  j'et  longed  to  come, 
but  must  still  wait,  came  more  to  their  own  hearts  and 
learned  to  know  themselves. 

Friday,  26.  Last  night  came  much  snow  and  cold 
weather. 

Sunday,  28.  Br.  David  preached  from  the  Epistle: 
But  when  the  fulness  of  the  time  was  come,  God  sent 
forth  his  Son,  made  of  a  woman,  etc.,  so  that  we  might 
receive  the  adoption  of  sons.  Sensemann  held  the 
children's  service.  It  was  cold  to-day.  Heckewelder 
held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse. 

Wednesday,  31.  We  assembled  at  the  usual  time  at 
the  end  of  the  year,  thankfully  called  to  mind  the  mercy 
and  kindness  we  had  enjoyed  during  the  past  year  from 
our  dear  Lord,  acknowledged  to  him  our  shortcomings, 
and  asked  forgiveness  of  all  our  transgressions  and  the 
oomfort  of  his  grace.  In  a  prayer  upon  our  knees  we  re- 
membered our  brethren  yet  wandering  in  error  and  beg- 
ged him  to  assemble  them  and  bring  them  again  to  the 


176  zeisberger's  diary. 

flock.  He  showed  himself  to  us,  his  poor  and  little  people, 
and  kindly  looked  down  upon  us  and  sent  us  his  peace. 

What  has  happened  to  us  this  year  is  briefly  the  follow- 
ing. At  the"  beginning  of  the  year  we  were  still  but  a 
handful,  but  in  the  spring,  about  the  first  of  May,  we 
were  increased  by  a  fine  number  of  brethren  who  came 
to  us  from  the  Shawanese  towns.  Of  the  rest,  however, 
who  have  remained  behind,  we  have  heard  nothing  since, 
how  they  are,  save  that  Mark  has  suddenly  gone  from 
time. 

At  the  beginning  of  July,  to  our  heart}'-  joy,  came  Brs. 
Weigand  and  Schebosh  from  Bethlehem  to  us,  by  whom 
once  again  we  had  letters  and  news  from  the  church. 
The  first  with  Br.  Michael  Jung  went  away  August  30th. 
We  hope  the  Saviour  has  brought  them  fortunately  to 
their  destination. 

The  Saviour  has  not  left  himself  without  a  witness  in 
our  brethren's  hearts.  With  longing  eyes  we  have  seen 
that  the  Lord  is  with  us  and  walks  in  our  midst.  The 
Holy  Spirit  was  busy  in  our  hearts  and  has  brought  many 
a  one  to  the  Physician  of  his  soul,  that  through  his  wounds 
he  should  be  cured  and  made  well.  Twenty- six  brethren 
have  this  year  been  absolved  and  sixteen  readmitted  to  the 
holy  communion.  The  Saviour  has  also  shown  us  that 
in  regard  to  his  supper  we  ought  to  manage  with  the 
brethren  more  prudently,  for  they  have  generally  suflered 
countless  injuries  in  their  hearts ;  which  also  happened,  and 
he  has  made  it  become  an  especially  true  blessing. 

In  regard  to  the  maintenance  both  of  ourselves  and  of 
our  Indian  brethren  for  the  present  year  we  have  a  bad 
outlook.  We  got  provisions  until  the  end  of  October  and 
had  hoped  also  that  we  should  harvest  enough  from  our 
plantations  for  our  needs,  but  this  hope  has  failed,  since  in 
the  first  place  we  were  ignorant  of  the  climate,  and  sec- 
ondly, we  planted  corn  which  in  this  land  does  not  ripen, 
and  besides  we  planted  it  somewhat  too  late,  so  that  some 
indeed  harvested  something,  but  many  nothing  at  all,  and 
must  try  to  get  through  by  hunting  and  by  the  labor  of 
their  hands,  and  it  is  also  a  good  thing  that  our  Indian 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1783.  177 

brethren  have  occasion  to  earn  something  by  their  hands. 
We  trust  in  our  dear  heavenly  Father  that  he  will  give 
and  bless  our  daily  bread.  Five  children  have  been  born 
and  baptized.  Three  children  have  died,  namely,  Augus- 
tina,  Jeremy,  and  Rebecca,  and  two  sisters,  Anna,  Abel's 
wife,  and  the  widow,  Agnes. 
12 


178  zeisberger's  diary. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

1784. 
New   Gnadenhutten,  on   the   Clinton,   Michigan. 

Thursday,  Jan.  1.  Br.  Edwards  preached  from  GaL  iii: 
Ye  are  all  the  children  of  God,  for  as  many  of  you  as  have 
been  baptized  have  put  on  Jesus.  The  baptized  breth- 
ren renewed  their  covenant  with  the  Saviour,  who  in  bap- 
tism had  made  them  with  him,  gave  themselves  anew  to  him 
to  be  the  reward  for  his  woes,  and  so  to  remain.  Two  sin- 
ners were  absolved,  Daniel  and  Adolphus,  the  first  born  in 
the  church  at  ITain,  who  was  likewise  taken  into  the 
church,  for  which  the  Saviour  showed  himself  gracious,  as 
especially  during  the  holidays  a  new  life  came  among  the 
brethren,  and  the  Saviour,  through  his  Holy  Ghost,  dur- 
ing these  days  has  done  a  good  work,  and  many  have 
been  borne. to  the  Lord,  for  when  he  begins  to  work,  it 
speeds.  We  took  for  use  last  year's  Scripture-verses  and 
texts. 

Friday,  2.  Some  Indiau  brethren  went  to  the  swamp 
bear-hunting. 

Sunday,  4.  Br.  Sensemann  preached  from  Tit.,  iii,  5 : 
He  saved  us  by  the  washing  of  regeneration  and  renewing 
of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Rainy  weather  came  on  ;  thus  far  it  has  snowed  much, 
and  now  the  snow  cannot  get  deep. 

Tuesday,  6.  Br.  Heckewelder  conducted  morning 
prayer,  and  asked  in  the  name  of  all  our  little  flock,  out 
of  the  bloody  fulness  of  Jesus,  his  blessing  for  this  day. 
In  the  service  for  the  baptized,  from  the  Scripture-verse 
and  text  for  the  day,  Christiana  Schebosh  was  admitted  to 
the  church,  and  an  unmarried  sister  was  absolved,  namely, 
Esther.  At  the  love-feast  afterwards  the  brethren  were 
reminded  that  our  church  made  it  its  business,  and  had 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1784.  179 

thereto  a  call  from  the  Saviour,  to  announce  the  Gos- 
pel to  those  poor,  blind  heathen,  that  we  had  our  life  in 
peril  herefor,  and  lived  not  even  to  death,  and  that  we 
should  think  ourselves  richly  rewarded  if  we  brought 
to  the  Saviour  one  soul  which  learned  to  know  its  Re- 
deemer, for  he  became  the  Saviour  of  the  heathen,  and 
that  the  day  is  therefore  named  Epiphany,  for  after  his 
birth  men  came  from  distant  lands,  worshipped  him,  and 
brought  him  gifts.  All  the  services  were  blessed  and  ac- 
companied by  his  presence,  for  which,  at  the  end  of  the 
day,  Br.  Jungmann,  in  a  heartfelt  prayer,  gave  him  praise 
and  thanks,  and  in  this  the  whole  company  united. 

Wednesday,  7^  Some  of  our  Indians  went  out  bear- 
hunting;  it  began  to  snow  hard,  and  kept  on  the  follow- 
ing days,  and  then  very  severe  cold  weather  came  on, 
so  that, 

Saturday,  10,  some  gentle  people  came  in  sleighs  from 
Detroit,  on  the  ice  over  the  lake,  to  visit  us,  simply  to  see 
our  town,  who  say  that  by  the  thermometer  it  has  not 
been  so  cold  for  twenty-eight  years  as  it  is  now,  it  being 
seven  degrees  lower  than  in  the  whole  time. 

Sunday,  11.  The  four  gentlemen  were  present  at  the 
service,  who  have  looked  at  our  town  and  visited  in  our 
houses.  They  said  that  if  they  should  say  in  Detroit  there 
was  such  a  settlement  here  on  the  Huron  river,  as  there 
really  is,  no  one  would  believe  them;  they  must  them- 
selves come  and  see  whether  they  had  spoken  the  truth. 
In  the  afternoon  they  went  away  quite  content,  and  said 
that  they  thought  their  trouble  and  journey  well  rewarded 
in  that  they  had  seen  our  town.  The  boys  and  children 
had  a  blessed  service  for  their  festival,  to  them  was  pictured 
the  boy,  Jesus,  as  a  model  and  example  for  them,  in  whose 
footsteps  they  should  follow. 

Tuesday,  13.  Most  of  our  Indian  brethren  went  to  the 
Milk  River,  on  the  way  to  Detroit,  to  make  a  bridge,  for  it 
is  now  frozen,  and  it  is  easier  to  make  a  bridge  now  than  in 
the  summer,  likewise  over  other  creeks  to  do  the  game. 
They  came  back  on  the  16th,  and  likewise  Br.  Sensemanu 
back  from  the  Fort,  bringing  news  that  we  might  expect  a 


180  zeisberger's  diary. 

visit  from  Col.  de  Peyster  with  several  otlier  gentlemen 
next  week. 

Saturday,  17.  A  Chippewa  came  here  and  remained 
over  night,  and  with  him  the  next  morning  went  Thomas, 
both  of  them  after  a  bear,  which  the  former  had  lost  trace 
of  when  night  came  on,  but  it  went  over  the  lake. 

Sunday,  18.  Heckewelder  preached.  To  the  communi- 
cants the  Lord's  supper  was  announced  for  next  Saturday, 
and  open-heartedness  was  recommended  them.  Br.  Ed- 
wards held  the  cono-reo^ation  meeting. 

Tuesday,  20.  Sensemann  held  earl}'^  service.  French- 
men came  with  two  sledges  up  the  river  on  the  ice ;  they 
brought  corn  and  victuals  which  thev  exchanged  for  veui- 

O  I/O 

son,  and  went, 

Wednesday,  21,  back  again.  To-day  it  snowed  again, 
and  the  snow  gets  always  deeper.  For  a  week  now  very 
cold  weather. 

Saturday,  24.  At  the  Lord's  supper,  Joshua,  Amelia, 
and  Susanna  .were  readmitted,  and  one  sister  enjoyed  it 
on  her  sick-bed.  This  week  it  snowed  several  days  in  suc- 
cession, and  the  snow  was  now  three  feet  deep,  so  that  it 
was  hard  to  get  fire-wood. 

Sunday,  25.  Heckewelder  read  the  communion  liturgy, 
Sensemann  preached.  In  the  marriage  service,  Andrew, 
an  unmarried  man,  and  Sister  Anna,  an  unmarried  woman, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sara,  were  married.  Br.  Edwards 
held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Tuesday,  27.  Sabina,  Adam's  wife,  came  to  bed  with  a 
daus:hter. 

Wednesday,  28.  The  assistants,  Abraham  and  Samuel, 
spoke  to  Ann  Charity  about  her  conduct.  Two  white 
people  came  here  from  the  settlement  over  the  lake,  from 
whom  we  heard  that  the  snow  there  is  deeper  than  here, 
and  that  outside  the  track  one  cannot  get  through,  for  it 
is  deep,  and  has  a  hard  crust  above. 

Saturday,  3L.  We  ended  the  first  month  of  this  year 
with  |;hankful  hearts  to  our  dear  Lord  that  to  the  present 
time  he  has  graciously  aided  us  and  our  Indian  brethren 
in  this  hard  winter  and  deep  snow,  which  through  the 


CLINTON    ElVEK,    1784.  181 

whole  country  lies  full  three  feet  deep,  so  that  our  Indian 
brethren,  though  they  have  really  no  food,  yet  can  not  go 
hunting,  for  there  is  no  getting  out,  and  many  have  now 
nothing  at  all  left  to  eat,  but  they  live  from  what  is  given 
them  by  those  who  have  still  something  left.  We  are  also 
overrun  and  cannot  but  give  to  them  when  we  see  their 
need,  but  in  a  single  day  we  could  give  away  all  we  have, 
and  then  hunger  and  perish  with  them.  All  were  there- 
fore busy  making  snow-shoes,  with  which  they  can  over- 
take the  deer  upon  the  snow,  and  in  this  way  was  the  first 
brought  to  town  lately.  But  most  of  them  are  not  accus- 
tomed to  use  these  and  must  learn  how.  We  have,  how- 
ever, thought  of  breaking  a  road  to  the  settlement,  also 
by  the  use  of  snow-shoes,  of  getting  the  means  of  life. 

Sunday^  Feb.  1.  During  the  sermon  Br.  Heckewelder 
baptized  the  little  daughter  of  Adam  and  Sabina,  born  on 
the  27th,  with  the  name  Cathrine,  into  the  death  of  Jesus. 
In  the  service  for  the  baptized,  two  single  brethren,  Zach- 
ary  and  Joseph,  were  absolved  in  the  name  of  the  Holy 
Trinity,  whereto  the  Saviour  showed  hiniself  gracious  and 
mighty,  so  that  many  tears  were  shed.  At  every  absolu- 
tion of  this  kind  there  is  universal  joy  and  sympathy 
among  the  brethren,  as  if  such  were  now  first  baptized,  and 
all  those  who  again  come  back  to  us  are,  through  absolu- 
tion, again  admitted  to  the  church. 

Wednesday,  4.  The  severe  winter  still  continues,  and 
it  has  snowed  nearly  every  day,  and  the  snow  gets  ever 
deeper.  Our  Indian  brethren,  about  whom  we  are  most 
anxious  and  distressed,  have  many  of  them  nothing  more 
to  eat.  Their  need  grows,  for  which  they  are  also  them- 
selves much  to  blame,  since  it  is  their  custom  never  to  have 
care  beforehand,  but  to  eat  as  long  as  they  have  any  thing, 
and  when  it  is  all  gone,  and  need  presses  upon  them,  they 
seek  to  get  something.  No  one  had  thought  there  would 
be  such  a  winter.  Old  settlers  in  Detroit  say  that  as  long 
as  they  have  lived  there  the  snow  has  never  been  so  deep, 

Saturday,  7.  Within  three  days,  by  the  use  of  snow- 
shoes,  more  than  one  hundred  deer  have  been  shot,  for 
which,  in   our   hunger,  we  were    very  thankful   to    our 


182  zeisberger's  diary. 

heavenly  Father.  The  cold,  however,  was  so  searching, 
that  many  froze  their  feet,  which  happens  sooner  and 
easier  on  snow-shoes  than  in  the  snow. 

Sunday,  8.  Br.  David  preached  from  the  Gospel  ahout 
the  good  sower  in  the  fields,  whereby  it  was  remarked  that 
each  heart  had  to  watch  over  itself,  so  that  their  enemy 
mii^ht  not  ao;ain  cast  into  their  heart  wicked  seed,  from 
which  the  Saviour  has  redeemed  it,  forgiving  its  sins  and 
purifying  it  from  them,  and  again  pollute  it,  whereby  such 
a  poor  heart  becomes  a  weed  in  the  church,  and  if  it  does 
not  soon  hasten  to  the  Saviour  and  let  itself  be  cured,  it  is 
in  dansrer  of  beins^  rooted  out  and  cast  into  the  tii'e. 

Monday,  9.  One  of  our  Indians  went  with  the  sledge 
to  Detroit,  over  the  lake,  for  upon  the  ice  there  is  hardly 
any  snow  and  good  travelling.  We  sent  a  message  to  a 
couple  of  Frenchmen  about  bringing  here  corn  and  pro- 
visions to  exchange  for  venison,  for  our  Indians  cannot 
well  go  into  the  settlements  on  account  of  the  snow.  Ig- 
natius came  on  the  11th  in  a  sledge,  laden  with  corn,  back 
from  Detroit. 

Thursday,  12.  Frenchmen  came  with  corn  and  pro- 
visions on  two  sledges,  and  exchanged  their  supplies  for 
venison. 

Friday,  13.  Mr.  McKce  and  Elliot  came  with  two 
sleighs  to  see  our  town  and  settlement,  of  which  they  had 
heard  much,  and  had  to  wonder  at  the  labor  already  done. 
They  pitied  us  and  our  Indians  that  on  account  of  the 
early  frosts  our  corn  had  failed,  which  is  hard  indeed  for 
us  in  this  severe  and  long-lasting  winter.  In  the  evening 
they  went  on  to  our  neighbor.  With  them  was  also  Mc- 
Kee's  brother  from  the  Susquehanna,  by  whom  we  sent 
letters  to  Litiz  and  Bethlehem.  Br.  Schebosh  went  in  the 
sledge  to  Detroit  to  get  corn. 

Sunday,  15.  Br.  Edwards  preached.  In  the  quarter- 
hour  for  the  married,  Br.  Jungmann  married  the  assistant 
and  widower,  Abraham  and  the  widow  Martha,  with  whom 
we  afterwards  had  a  love-feast.  Br.  David  held  the  Con- 
gregation   meeting  from  the  text :  The  Father  hath  not 


CLINTON  RIVER,  1784.  183 

left  me  alone  :  for  I  do  always  those  things  that  please 
him. 

Wednesday,  18.  To-day  and  the  three  preceding  days 
many  white  people  came  here,  English  and  French,  in 
part  for  a  visit,  and  in  part  they  brought  food  to  ex- 
change for  meat.  All  who  came  carefully  examined  our 
town  and  had  much  to  say  about  it.    . 

Sunday,  22.  Br.  Jungniann  preached  from  the  Gospel  : 
Behold,  we  go  up  to  Jerusalem,  about  the  Saviour's  ap- 
proach to  his  passion.  In  the  marriage  service  Br.  David 
married  the  widower  Renatus  and  the  single  woman,  Anna 
Regina.  A  merchant  from  Detroit,  who  with  his  family 
has  come  here  visiting,  was  present  and  asked  for  the 
baptism  of  his  two  children.  Thereupon  in  a  common 
service  they  were  baptized,  the  one  with  the  name  John, 
the  other  Mary.  Both  parents  sat  before  the  table  and 
held  the  children  for  baptism,  which  conduct  was  very  re- 
spectable and  impressive.  As  there  is  no  ordained  preacher 
of  the  Protestant  church  in  Detroit,  the  Justice  baptizes 
the  children  also,  or  the  commandant,  if  it  be  asked  of 
him,  but  to  many  this  is  not  satisfactory  and  they  are 
scrupulous  a])Out  it. 

Tuesday,  24.  They  went  back  again  to  Detroit  well 
pleased  with  their  visit.     Christiana  brought  forth  a  son. 

Thursday,  Feb.  26.  To-day  and  yesterday  came  here 
more  French  and  English,  all  in  sledges  upon  the  ice.  They 
make  the  winter  useful,  for  with  a  sledge  they  can  come 
in  one  day,  which  in  summer  can  not  be  done  in  a  single 
day,  unless  the  wind  be  very  good. 

Saturday,  28.  Many  Indian  brethren  came  back  from 
the  settlement  where  they  have  been  to  get  corn,  but  have 
found  little.  The  winter,  since  the  new  year,  has  been  very 
severe,  the  snow  three  feet  deep,  and  the  cold  weather  last- 
ing. Old  settlers  say  they  have  never  had  so  hard  a  win- 
ter here.  Many  cattle  perish  in  the  settlements  for  want 
of  fodder,  and  they  who  have  corn  must  use  it  for  their 
cattle,  and  therefore  none  is  to  be  had.  We  are  in  great 
distress  about  our  Indians,  who  have  nothing  to  eat,  and 


184  zeisberger's  diary. 

it  goes  hard  with  them,  their  need  always  getting  greater. 
May  our  Father  in  heaven  give  us  our  daily  bread. 

Sunday,  29.  Br.  David  preached.  In  the  afternoon 
service  Br.  Edwards  baptized  into  Jesus'  death  with  the 
name  of  Henry,  the  little  son  of  Ignatius  and  Christiana, 
born  on  the  24th  Inst.  The  Lord's  supper  was  announced 
to  communicants  for  next  Saturday.  Again  came  French- 
men here  in  sleighs. 

Wednesday,  March  3.  Again  snow  has  fallen  a  foot 
deep  upon  the  old,  so  that  now  it  lies  four  feet  deep,  and 
without  snow-shoes  we  could  go  nowhere,  except  upon 
the  ice  to  Detroit.  There  is  great  want  of  food  among 
our  brethren,  who  can  by  no  means  get  any  thing. 

Thursday,  4,  and  Friday,  5.  Brs.  Zeisberger  and  Jung- 
mann  and  their  wives  spoke  with  the  brethren  about  the 
Lord's  supper,  whom  we  found  in  all  their  need  content 
and  walking  with  the  Saviour.     We  had, 

Saturday,  6,  the  Lord's  supper,  accompanied  with  his 
near  presence.  A  sister,  Sabina,  enjoyed  it  with  us  for  the 
first  time. 

Sunday,  7.  Br.  David  read  the  communion  liturgy, 
Heckewelder  preached,  Sensemann  conducted  the  chil- 
dren's service,  and  Edwards  the  congregation  meeting. 
The  assistant  brethren  were  directed  to  speak  with  Andrew, 
which  was  done. 

Monday,  8.  Schebosh,  with  his  daughter  and  her  hus- 
band, went  with  the  sick  Joseph  to  Detroit  to  the  doctor, 
as  also  for  provisions  for  their  family.  Likewise  many 
Indian  brethren  went  to  the  settlement  for  food.  William, 
who  also  went  there,  broke  into  the  lake  with  his  horse 
where  it  is  deep  enough  for  a  ship  to  sail ;  he  sprang  at 
once  from  his  horse  and  held  him  two  hours,  until  the 
people  living  in  the  neighborhood  came  to  his  aid  and 
helped  get  his  horse  out. 

Wednesday,  10.  We  went  to  our  sugar-huts  to  make 
preparations  for  boiling  sugar,  but  the  snow  was  still 
more  than  knee-deep,  though  it  is  a  month  later  than  it 
was  last  year  when  Ave  began. 

Friday,  12.     Many  came  home  with  corn  from  the  set- 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1784.  185 

tlemeiit  and  from  Detroit.  It  is  very  dear,  20-32  shillings 
a  bushel,  and  not  to  be  had,  for  everywhere  there  is  want 
after  so  severe  a  winter.  The  Chippewa  chief,  who  was 
here  over  night,  said  that  a  day's  journey  from  here  to  the 
north  the  snow  was  up  to  a  man's  arms,  and  further  north- 
ward it  lay  deeper  than  a  man's  height,  so  that  many  Chip- 
pewas  had  perished  from  hunger,  for  they  could  neither 
hunt  nor  support  themselves  in  other  ways;  many  had  for 
a  time  lived  upon  birds  and  woodpeckers  they  had  shot, 
and  maintained  themselves  until  they  could  get  home. 
Now  for  several  days  we  have  had  rain  and  a  thaw,  with 
thunder,  so  that  we  have  hope  of  its  being  milder  and 
easier  to  get  along  with. 

Sunday,  14.  Br.  David  preached,  and  then  we  got  to- 
gether some  brethren,  and  held  an  inquiry  and  investiga- 
tion in  regard  to  some  gossip  and  talk  about  Abraham's 
marriage ;  this  is  usually  the  way  with  the  Indians,  for  a 
wedding  can  not  occur  without  there  being  much  gabbing 
.about  it. 

Monday,  15.  A  Frenchman  came  here  in  a  sledge,  from 
whom  our  Indians  got  some  provisions.  He  wanted  to  go 
farther  to  the  Chippewas,  but  we  advised  him  to  turn  about, 
the  ice  being  untrustworthy,  which  to-day  he  did. 

Wednesday,  17.  For  two  days  it  has  again  been  very 
cold;  many  cattle  from  the  settlement  that  go  about  the 
bush  here,  also  many  wild  animals,  perish.  Deer  are  found 
in  the  bush  lying  dead,  for  the  snow  is  so  deep,  and  more- 
over hard,  that  they  can  not  get  along.  For  us,  too,  it  is 
hard  to  bring  our  cattle  through,  since  we  had  made  no 
preparation  for  such  a  winter,  last  year  there  being  little 
snow,  none  of  consequence. 

Thursday,  18.  The  brethren  are  all  at  their  sugar-huts, 
but  the  weather  is  still  too  cold  to  do  any  thing. 

Sunday,  21.  Br.  David  preached,  and  Jungmann  held 
the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse. 

Monday,  22.  The  brethren  went  out  again  to  their  re- 
spective places  in  the  bush.  They  were  told  to  come  home 
on  the  25th.  We  went  out  to  get  rushes  for  our  cattle, 
wherewith  we  seek  to  take  them  through. 


186  zeisberger's  diary. 

Weclnesda}^  24.  To  our  joy  we  had  a  thaw,  with  raiu, 
which,  however,  lasted  no  longer  than  to-day,  and  our  joy 
was  again  checked.  Different  Indian  brethren  came  back 
from  the  settlement  with  some  provisions;  but  everything 
is  very  dear  and  hard  to  get,  corn  not  at  all. 

Thursday,  25.  Most  of  the  brethren  came  home.  We 
assembled,  called  to  mind  the  incarnation  of  our  Sa- 
viour in  the  body  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  thanked  him 
with  melted  hearts  that  he  had  so  condescended  on  our 
account  to  embody  himself  in  our  poor  flesh  and  blood. 
Martha,  William's  wife,  became  the  mother  of  a  son  last 
night  in  her  sugar-hut. 

Saturday,  27.  To-day  and  yesterday  fine,  mild  weather, 
and  if  there  were  no  deep  snow  we  could  call  it  spring 
weather,  but  this  makes  it  so  cold  and  keeps  it  from  melting. 
Sunday,  28.  Heckewelder  preached.  Now  for  a  week 
Br.  David  labors  with  the  rheumatism,  and  can  not  go  out. 
Sunday,  April  4.  During  the  whole  week  both  we  and  all 
the  Indian  brethren  have  been  busy  making  sugar,  for  the 
weather  was  fine,  and  the  deep  snow  becomes  slowly  less, 
but  since  it  is  so  deep,  little  efiect  is  produced  upon  it  in 
the  bush.  Most  of  the  brethren  were  present  at  the  serv- 
ices to-day.  Br.  David  preached  about  the  Saviour's  en- 
trance into  Jerusalem.  In  the  service  which  followed  Br. 
Heckewelder  baptized,  with  the  name  Anton,  William's 
son,  born  March  25.  To  the  communicants  the  Lord's 
supper  was  announced  for  Maundy  Thursday,  and  there 
was  read  to  them  what  St.  Paul  says  (Cor.  ii.)  to  the  church. 
A  man  sent  to  us  from  the  neighborhood,  and  asked 
that  one  of  us  would  come  and  marry  him,  but  this  we 
utterly  declined,  sending  word  to  him  that  we  did  not 
concern  ourselves  with  the  marriages  of  others.  After  the 
services  the  brethren  went  back  to  their  sugar-huts.  This 
morning  many  came  here  over  the  ice,  but  with  danger  to 
their  lives,  for  the  river  is  again  quite  open,  so  that  they 
can  sail  to  and  fro  in  canoes. 

Thursday,  8.  In  the  evening  there  was  a  reading  of 
the  history,  for  which  all  the  brethren  had  come  together 
from  the  bush.     The  communion  brethren,  after  they  had 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1784.  187 

been  addressed,  liad  the  wasliing  of  feet,  and  thereafter 
the  Lord's  supper,  to  which  Luke  and  Adolphus  were  re- 
admitted. 

Friday,  9.  We  read  the  story  of  the  passion,  iy  four 
parts,  with  moved  and  melted  hearts,  and  this  was  lis- 
tened to  with  great  attention  and  eagerness  by  the 
brethren.  At  the  words,  Jesus  bowed  his  head  and  gave 
up  the  ghost,  we  all  fell  upon  our  knees,  and  sang:  Lamb 
of  God,  thy  precious  blood,  healing  wounds  and  bitter 
death.  The  brethren,  after  the  history  was  ended,  were 
dismissed,  for  they  are  compelled  to  earn  something  to  eat. 
Mamacke's  Shalachzink  asked  permission  to  live  here. 
She  has  already  several  times  lived  with  us,  and  her  child 
was  baptized  by  us  and  died. 

Sunday,  11.  We  read  the  Easter  litan}^  partly  in  our 
chapel  and  partly  in  the  grave-yard,  and  at  the  proper 
place  thought  of  those  brethren  who,  during  the  year,  have 
gone  home,  Anna  and  Agnes,  together  with  their  children, 
and  prayed  for  eternal  communion  with  them.  Afterward 
we  read  the  account  of  the  resurrection.  Br.  Heckewelder 
preached  from  the  text :  He  showed  unto  them  his  hands 
and  his  side.  After  consideration  of  the  Scripture-verse 
and  text  in  the  congregation  meeting,  which  Br.  Jung- 
mann  held,  we  dismissed  the  brethren  to  their  work  again. 

Tuesday,  13.  Different  brethren  came  from  the  settle^ 
ments,  where  the}'  had  been  for  provisions,  exchanging  for 
them  the  sugar  they  had  made,  but  they  could  get  little, 
for  everywhere  it  is  a  hungry  time.  They  got  as  many 
pounds  of  flour  as  they  brought  pounds  of  sugar. 

Thursday,  15.  Now  that  the  corn  was  gone,  our  breth- 
ren sought  to  live  on  wild  potatoes,  going  to  the  lakes, 
where  there  are  many  of  them,  and  bringing  back  as  many 
as  they  could  carry.  The  lake,  however,  is  yet  closed, 
and  there  is  no  getting  to  Detroit  by  w^ater.  Schebosh 
went  down  on  his  way  to  Detroit,  but  had  to  come  back 
again  on  account  of  the  ice. 

Monday,  19.  Schebosh  went  by  water  to  the  Fort  for 
supplies. 

Tiiursday,  22.     Zipporah  died,  she  was, 


188  zeisberger's  diary. 

Friday,  23,  buried.  She  was  baptized  by  Br.  Jung- 
mann,  April  12,  1772,  in  Languntoutenliiik,  and  alread}'' 
in  Goschgosehiiiik  had  become  acquainted  with  the  breth- 
ren, where  she  visited  the  meetings,  and  after  the  brethren 
left  the  place  and  moved  to  Languntouteniink,  she  fol- 
lowed them  with  her  husband  and  children.  Afterwards 
she  went  also  to  the  Muskingum,  to  Schonbrunn,  where, 
on  the  11th  of  November,  1775,  she  came  to  the  supper 
of  our  Lord.  Her  husband,  Jephtha,  died  there  in  1776. 
She  was  from  the  time  of  her  baptism  blessed  and  content, 
80  that  we  could  rejoice  in  her.  A  dream,  however,  which 
she  had  about  her  son,  who  had  been  baptized  and  died, 
caused  her  much  doubt,  so  that  she  was  not  sound  in  the 
faith,  and  always  had  a  certain  doubt  left  in  her  mind 
whether  the  brethern  had  preached  the  true  learning  and 
the  way  to  blessedness.  This  could  be  seen  also  in  her 
conduct,  especially  during  the  disturbances  of  the  war,  so 
that  we  could  have  no  satisfaction  in  her.  Yet  the  Sa- 
viour did  not  leave  her,  but  went  after  her  and  brought  her 
near  to  us.  All  this  in  her  very  wearisome  illness  gave  her 
much  to  do,  and  she  had  no  peace  until  she  was  again  ab- 
solved, whereupon  she  was  quite  comforted,  and  with  much 
longing  awaited  her  call.  This  came  on  the  day  men- 
tioned, with  the  blessing  of  the  church. 

This  same  day,  in  the  morning  service  the  child  of  the 
Mohican,  Renatus,  was  baptized  Jacob,  and  the  child  of 
Jacobina,  Agnes. 

Saturday,  24.  Brs.  David,  Jungmann,  Heckewelder,  and 
Sensemann  went  to  Detroit,  Br.  Edwards  remaining  at 
home  with  the  sisters.  Most  of  the  Indian  brethren  went 
to  the  lake  to  dig  wild  potatoes,  for  they  have  nothing  to 
eat,  and  the  men  make  canoes  to  sell  for  food.  The  first 
party, 

Sunday,  25,  arrived  there,  and  they  went  at  just  the 
right  time  to  have  no  trouble  from  ice,  for  had  they  gone 
a  day  sooner  they  would  have  had  to  lie  over  on  account 
of  ice. 

Br.  David's  business  there  was  chiefly  to  speak  Avith  the 
commandant,  and  to  set  forth  our  need  and  our  Indians' 


CLINTON   IIIVER,   1784.  189 

need,  and  to  beg  liira  to  help  us  with  supplies.  This  time; 
he  was  well  disposed  to  this,  although  supplies  were  few- 
in  the  king's  store,  and  of  flour  there  was  none  at  all,  for 
last  autumn  three  or  four  ships  were  wrecked  on  the  lake. 
Both  we  and  our  Indians  got  some  beans  and  pork,  and  we 
were  glad  enough,  especially  that  our  Indians  were  helped 
in  their  want,  for  now  seed-time  is  near,  when  they  most 
need  help.  Br.  David  baptized  in  the  city  the  children  of 
two  merchants,  namely,  Sara,  daughter  of  iJ^athan  Will- 
iams, and  Isaac,  the  son  of  Loveless,  and  Br.  Ileckewelder 
baptized  outside  the  town  in  the  settlement  likewise  two. 
children,  Maria,  Hessen's  daughter,  and  Jacob,  Graonrad's 
son. 

Wednesday,  28.  Br.  David  baptized  on  the  island  a 
child  of  Tafelmesier's  with  the  name  Eva  Maria. 

Thursday,  29.  We  again  went  away  from  Detroit.  On 
the  way  in  the  settlement  Br.  David  baptized  the  child  of 
a  man  named  Frank,  with  the  name  John,  and  thus  we 
came  Friday,  April  30,  back  here  to  our  friends.  On  th§ 
lake  we  met  many  of  our  Indian  brethren  digging  wild 
potatoes,  on  which  they  lived  ;  therefore  there  were  few  at 
home. 

Sunday,  May  2.  Br.  David  preached.  The  Indian 
brethren  were  for  the  most  part  come  home,  and  they  got 
ready  to  go  to  Detroit  for  provisions. 

Monday,  3.  The  Indian  brethren  went  to  Detroit.  We 
began  to  work  ou  our  plantations  and  to  make  prepara-; 
tions  to  plant.  Br.  Sensemann  and  his  wife  had  many 
things  stolen  from  them  last  night,  provisions  and  clothes* 
We  could  not  be  quite  sure  who  the  thief  was,  unless  we 
conjectured  him  to  b6  Daniel,  Christian's  friend,  who  went 
away  from  here  two  days  ago. 

Tuesday,  4.  We  had  the  first  thunder-storm  of  this 
spring.  The  Chippewa  chief  was  here  over  night ;  he  said^ 
to  our  Indians,  since  this  summer  few  deer  were  to  be  had^ 
that  he  would  tell  them  how  and  where  they  could  catch, 
fish  enough,  namely,  if  they  would  block  up  the  creek  a 
few  miles  above  us,  where  it  is  narrow,  that  the  fish,  which, 
a,re  very  large,  could  not  get  back  into  the  lake,  and  in 


190  zeisberger's  diary. 

this  way,  all  summer  long,  they  could  have  fish  enough  if 
they  wanted.  He  said  further  that  they  would  do  no  harm 
to  our  cattle,  we  should  have  no  fear  about  them.  We 
answered  him  that  we  also  had  confidence  in  them,  for  we 
wished  to  have  firm  friendship  with  them,  but  we  were 
very  sorry  we  were  so  poor  as  to  be  unable  to  give  them 
any  thing  to  eat  when  they  came  here,  but  should  we  be 
in  better  circumstances,  we  would  also  do  them  good.  He 
answered  that  he  knew  this  very  well,  and  that  he  was 
aware  that  when  we  lived  on  the  Muskinscura  we  had  done 
Diuch  good  to  the  Indians  who  came  there. 

Thursday,  6.  The  Indian  brethren  returned  from  the 
Fort  with  eleven  barrels  of  pork  and  beans,  which  came 
just  right  for  planting  time,  for  if  they  had  not  got  help 
they  could  not  have  worked  from  hunger,  nor  have 
planted.  Thus  our  dear  heavenly  Father  helps  us  from 
one  time  to  another,  in  the  winter  by  the  many  deer  they 
got,  then  by  the  sugar  they  made,  and  afterwards  by  the 
wild  potatoes,  by  which  they  kept  themselves  alive. 

Saturday,  8.  Since  the  brethren  were  all  at  home  yes- 
terday, and  divided  their  provisions,  they  all  set  about 
planting  and  clearing  the  land.  They  had  to  buy  all  their 
seed-corn  in  the  settlement,  for  their  own  of  last  year  had 
not  ripened.  They  were  urged  to  be  industrious  and  ob- 
serve the  time  well,  in  order  that  they  might  once  again 
have  bread,  as  on  the  Muskingum.  They  knew  how  hard 
it  was  to  hunger,  as  they  had  for  three  years. 

Sunday,  9.  Ileckewelder  preached;  Senseraann  con- 
ducted the  children's  service;  David  held  the  congregation 
meeting. 

Wednesday,  12.  Our  Indians  made  fish-dams  in  difter- 
ent  places;  they  stopped  up  the  creek  so  that  the  fish 
could  not  go  down,  in  which  way  they  conld  have  fish  all 
summer  if  they  wanted  them.  They  brought  in  at  all 
times  many  of  these  of  uncommon  size  and  of  all  edible 
sorts,  and  this  is  another  great  help  for  them. 

Friday,  14.  We  were  done  with  planting,  but  since  our 
seed-corn  was  not  good  and  did  not  come  up,  we  had  to 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1784.  191 

plant  a  second  time,  but  our  Indians,  who  are  also  busy  at 
this,  have  not  yet  done  planting. 

Sunday,  16.  David  preaclied  from  the  text:  "Whatso- 
ever ye  shall  ask  of  the  Father,  etc.,  that  the  Saviour  has 
revealed  and  made  known  to  us  the  Father,  that  he  so 
loved  us  that  he  gave  his  beloved  Son,  his  only  joy,  to 
death  for  us.  Then  the  holy  communion  was  announced 
to  the  communicants  for  next  Saturday.  Sensemann  held 
the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse. 

Wednesday,  19.  Two  rangers  came  here  from  Detroit 
to  get  Mclvee  and  Elliott's  cattle,  for  which  they  asked 
the  help  and  aid  of  the  Indians. 

Thursday,  20.  On  Ascension  Day  of  our  dear  Lord  we 
prayed  to  him,  looked  to  him,  had  ourselves  blessed  by 
him,  and  inasmuch  as  he  is  no  longer  visible  in  the  world, 
we  beofo^ed  for  his  unseen  nearness  for  all  days  and  hours 
according  to  his  promise  :  I  am  with  you  alway.  Br.  David 
preached. 

Saturday,  21.  After  the  brethren  had  been  addressed  we 
enjoyed  his  body  and  blood  in  the  holy  communion  in  the 
most  blessed  way.  One  brother  was  there  present  for  the 
first  time.  To-day  we  had  the  great  joy  ©f  getting  by 
way  of  Detroit  letters  from  Brs.  Simon  Peter,  Matthew, 
and  Grube,^  from  which  we  learn  that  our  dear  Br.  John 
(de  Watteville),  who  was  at  sea  in  need  and  in  danger, 
had  not  yet  arrived  ;  we  thought  much  about  him  and 
his  company  and  prayed  to  the  Saviour  to  bring  them  safe 
to  land.  We  likewise  learned  that  they,  as  well  as  we 
here,  had  had  a  very  severe  winter.  For  a  week  we  have  had 
severe  rains,  and  consequently  most  of  our  fields  are  un- 
der water,  so  that  in  this  hungry  planting-time  we  have 
a  bad  outlook  that  any  thing  will  grow,  since  what  is 
planted  rots  in  the  ground  and  does  not  come  up. 

^  SiiTion  Peter  of  Friedberg,  Forsyth  Co.,  North  Carolina,  1784-1791. 
A  Moravian  clergyman. 

Perhaps  Bishop  Matthew  Hehl,  an  eloquent  preacher,  at  this  time  in 
Litiz,  Pa.,  where  he  died  1787,  having  retired  from  his  ofnce  in  1784. 

Reverend  Adam  Grube,  at  this  time  in  his  seventieth  year,  probably 
at  Litiz,  where  he  had  officiated  at  Zeisberger's  marriage,  1781. 


192  zbisberger's  diary. 

Wednesday,  26.  Since  the  supplies  our  Indians  got  are 
almost  exhausted  [and  j^et  these  have  helped  them  to  be 
able  to  plant  without  delay],  many  of  them  went  to  the 
lake  to  dig  wild  potatoes,  and  the  men  also  to  make  ca- 
noes, from  the  sale  of  which  they  will  have  provisions. 

Thursday,  27.  Brs.  Sensemann  and  Schebosh  came 
back  from  Detroit,  bringing  news  that  Col.  de  Peyster, 
commandant  there,  is  upon  the  point  of  leaving  the  place. 
We  wish  him  every  good  thing,  for  he  has  done  well  by 
lis,  and  our  Indians  would  not  have  been  alive  here  if  he 
had  not  interested  himself  in  us  and  helped  us.  Who 
will  come  in  his  place  and  how  further  it  stands  in  regard 
to  government  we  can  hear  nothing  certain  until  we  see, 
for  the  people  are  kept  in  uncertainty.  From  the  Illinois, 
where  usually  the  winter  is  mild,  we  learn  that  from  the 
severe  winter  very  many  cattle,  and  also  the  wild  buf- 
faloes, have  died  in  the  bush  from  want  of  food  and  from 
the  deep  snow ;  thus  the  hard  winter  extended  through- 
out the  land. 

Saturday,  29.  We  were  quite  done  with  planting,  and 
hoped  this  year  to  have  a  better  harvest  than  last  year,  for 
at  this  seasoi\,  then  we  had  planted  nothing.  But  it  is  a 
long  time  before  we  can  get  any  thing  for  food  from  our 
plantations,  and  till  then  we  and  our  Indians  have  to  sup- 
port ourselves,  and  we  get  along  with  difficulty. 

Sunday,  30,  The  sermon  treated  of  the  office  and  work 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  not  only  generally,  but  also  especially 
with  believers.  With  our  baptized  brethren  we  prayed  to 
God  the  Holy  Ghost  upon  our  knees,  thanked  him  for  his 
unwearied,  true  care,  patience,  and  long-suffering  for  us, 
begged  him  to  forgive  us  all  our  sins,  when  we  had  not  re- 
garded nor  listened  to  his  voice,  and  had  grieved  him, 
vowed  to  him  obedience  and  faithfulness,  whereto  he  sent 
us  his  blessing  and  peace.  Br.  Jungmann  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting.  In  all  our  services  he  let  himself  be 
sensibly  felt  among  us. 

Monday,  31.  We  heard  that  the  commandant,  Col.  de 
Peyster  sailed  away  yesterday  from  Detroit  for  JS^iagara, 
but  who  comes  in  his  place  we  know  not. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1784.  198 

Thursday,  June  3.  Gottlob  (Sensemann)  went  to  Detroit. 
Since  we  had  heard  of  an  opportunity  to  send  to  Pitts- 
burg, Br.  David  wrote  to  Litiz  a  letter,  which  he  took  with 
him. 

Friday,  4.  He  came  back  from  there  with  the  news 
that  they  were  repairing  the  Fort  there,  that  the  Indians 
in  Michilimackinac  were  said  to  have  killed  eight  soldiers 
and  traders,  that  they  were  said  to  be  very  proud  and  ill- 
disposed  towards  the  English  for  compelling  them  to  go  to 
war  with  the  Americans. 

Saturday,  5.  Several  of  our  Indians  returned  from  De- 
troit, where  they  had  taken  and  sold  canoes  to  get  again 
some  few  necessities  of  life.  They  were,  however,  very 
much  deceived  in  their  expectations,  and  had  to  pay  enor- 
mously dear  for  every  thing.  We  finished  hoeing  corn 
to-day. 

Sunday,  6.  Heckewelder  preached  from  the  Gospel 
about  Nicodemus,  and  David  held  the  congregation  meet- 
ing from  the  text  of  the  day. 

Monday,  7.     Br.  Jungmann  held  the  early  service. 

Thursday,  10.  Joshua  and  Adam,  who  have  come  back 
from  Detroit,  met  there  Potawatomy  Indians ;  one  of 
them,  an  interpreter,  who  knew  many  Indian  tongues,  said 
to  our  Indians  that  we  should  come  to  them  and  live  on 
their  land,  that  the  Chippewas  did  not  like  to  have  us  on 
their  land  on  account  of  the  hunting  and  fishing — they 
did  not  like  to  see  others  hunting  and  fishing  on  their  ter- 
ritory. They  live  a  good  day's  journey  westward  from 
Detroit,  and  said  there  was  much  game  there,  more  than 
where  we  lived.  In  many  places  there  has  been  a  frost, 
but  here  little  was  to  be  seen  of  it. 

Saturday,  12.  Abraham,  Zachary,  and  others  came  back 
from  canoe-making. 

Sunday,  13.  Br.  David  preached,  Sensemann  held  the 
children's  service,  and  Edwards  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  14.     Abraham,  with  others,  took  the  canoes 
they  have  made  to  Detroit,  to  get  food  in  return  for  them. 
Others  went  to  the  settlement  to  earn  something  by  their 
13 


194  zeisberger's  diary. 

labor  among  tlie  white  people  and  French.  The  sisters 
make  baskets  and  brooms  to  take  there,  and  thus  our 
brethren  have  to  strive  to  get  along.  There  is  no  hunting 
this  year  and  no  meat  to  be  had,  for  deer  are  few. 

Wednesday,  16.  Gottlob  held  early  service.  The  sis- 
ters went  for  wild  cherries,  of  which  there  are  many  this 
year,  on  which  in  part  they  live. 

Saturday,  19.  There  was  a  bad  storm,  which  threw 
down  many  trees,  and  did  much  damage  to  our  iields. 
There  are  usually  such  storms  every  spring,  but  this  year 
it  was  greater  than  last.  The  insects,  mosquitoes,  ponkjis,^ 
and  horse-flies  are  very  many  more  and  more  troublesome 
than  they  were  last  year,  so  that  when  the  wind  is  still  it 
is  about  impossible  for  man  and  beast  to  live. 

Sunday,  20.  Edwards  preached  from  the  Gospel  about 
the  great  feast,  and  David  held  the  congregation  meeting 
from  the  Scripture-verse. 

Monday,  21.  Abraham  and  many  others  went  to  the 
settlement,  in  part  to  get  provisions  and  in  part  to  earn 
something  by  their  labor  in  the  fields,  for  here  they 
have  nothing  to  eat ;  nothing  can  be  had  this  year  by 
hunting,  for  there  are  hardly  any  deer  and  game;  these 
perished  last  winter.  Those  who  remained  at  home  were 
very  busy  about  their  corn  in  the  fields. 

Thursday,  24.  There  came  some  white  people  here,  one 
a  French  trader,  who,  however,  could  dispose  of  nothing 
here.  After  quite  dry  weather,  lasting  some  time,  we  got 
a  fine  warm  rain  ;  here  usually  after  rain  very  cool  weather 
follows. 

Saturday,  26.  Some  of  our  Indians  came  back  from  the 
settlement,  where  for  some  days  they  have  worked  in  the 
fields  and  earned  some  provisions.  They  could  not  describe 
how  badly  the  inhabitants  live  and  what  dreadful  famine 
is  among  the  people,  so  that  they  live  only  by  fishing  and 
from  weeds,  while  they  work.  This  week  we  hilled  our 
corn,  and  for  the  most  part  were  done  with  it. 


^In  Zeisberger's  Delaware  Spelling-Book,  pongus  means  sand-fly,  and 
in  Brinton's  "The  Lenape,"  etc.,  p.  246,  pungusak  is  rendered  gnats. 


CLINTON   RIVER,    178-4.  195 

The  Chippewas,  Tawas,  Potawatomies,  and  four  other 
nations  also,  as  we  hear,  wish  to  go  to  the  Americans,  hold 
a  council  with  them,  and  make  their  excuses,  saying  that 
they  have  been  compelled  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against 
them,  but  even  then  had  not  done  it  except  that  some 
runners-about  had  gone  into  the  war;  since  their  fathers 
had  made  peace  with  them  and  had  given  them  all  the 
land  belonging  to  the  nations,  they  wished  now  to  seek 
friendship  with  the  Americans. 

Sunday,  27.  Br.  Jungmann  preached  from  the  Gospel 
about  the  lost  sheep,  that  the  Saviour  came  to  bless  sin- 
ners. David  held  the  communion  quarter-hour,  and  an- 
nounced to  the  brethren  the  Lord's  supper  for  next  Satur- 
day. 

Monday,  28.     Sensemann  held  early  service. 

Tuesday,  29.     John  held  the  early  service. 

Thursday,  July  1,  and  Tuesday,  2.  Brs.  Zeisberger  and 
Jungmann  and  their  wives  spoke  with  the  brethren,  whom 
we  found  content,  in  spite  of  all  their  outward  need  and 
want.  Many  came  from  the  settlement,  where  they  have 
been  working  for  food  with  the  French,  who  have  them- 
selves very  little. 

Saturday,  3.  Two  Frenchmen  came  from  the  settlement 
visiting,  and  with  them  a  German,  to  see  our  town  and 
neighborhood ;  they  went  back  on  the  4th.  They  could 
not  wonder  enough  at  the  fair  prospect  of  our  fields  for  a 
good  harvest,  for  in  the  settlement  there  is  a  very  bad  out- 
look. They  said  that  most  people  there  had  no  bread,  and 
lived  from  the  weeds  they  cooked  and  eat.  We  heard 
from  them  that  Detroit  will  be  garrisoned  by  French  from 
France.  The  communion  brethren  had  the  holy  com- 
munion of  the  body  and  blood  of  our  Lord.  A  sister,  A. 
Charity,  partook  of  it  for  the  first  time  since  she  is  here, 
after  receiving  absolution. 

Sunday,  4.  After  the  communion  liturgy  there  was  a 
sermon  by  Heckewelder.  David  conducted  the  children's 
service,  and  Jungmann  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  5.  All  the  Indian  brethren  went  away,  some 
to  the  settlement,  the  others  for  whortleberries,  a  day's 


196  zeisberger's  diart. 

journey  from  here-,  for  at  home  they  have  nothing  to  eat, 
and  each  one  must  look  about  to  find  something.  Luke, 
who  remained  at  home,  expressed  himself  about  the  fam- 
ine in  this  way:  "We  have  brought  this  need  upon  our- 
selves, we  are  the  cause  of  it;  on  the  Muskingum  we  had 
enough  to  live  on,  and  no  want  in  any  way,  and  yet  we 
were  not  content, but  we  sought  and  thought  to  find  things 
yet  better,  but  as  soon  as  we  came  away  from  our  towns 
on  the  Muskingum,  hunger  began  among  us,  and  since 
then  has  never  ceased.  When  I  look  at  our  teachers,  they 
have  nothing  better  than  we;  I  see  how  thin  they  are,  and 
that  the3'  go  about  here  in  such  clothes  as  we  were  not 
wont  to  see  them  in.  We  are  to  blame  for  this  also;  they 
sufi'er  on  our  account.  If  I  reflect  farther  I  see  what 
harm  and  that  nothing  good  comes  from  our  suiFering 
hunger.  In  the  first  place  comes  thieving,  to  which  hunger 
drives  them  ;  in  the  second  place,  many  suifer  harm  in 
their  hearts  if  huno;er  forces  them  to  the  settlement  or  to 
the  Fort,  for  they  fall  into  all  sorts  of  bad  ways  and  bring 
back  home  a  defiled  heart;  thirdly,  hunger  is  the  cause  of 
our  town  being  deserted;  this  was  not  our  way  formerly, 
but  we  were  glad  to  be  together  as  much  as  possible,  and 
we  refreshed  ourselves  together  in  the  meetings  from 
God's  word  and  the  sweet  Gospel.  We  were  formerly  ac- 
customed to  be  summoned  to  the  meetings  by  the  church 
bell,  instead  of  which,  however,  now  the  servant  must 
either  call  the  brethren  together  or  ring  a  cow-bell.  If 
one  looks  at  our  brethren,  famine  can  be  read  in  their  faces, 
they  look  so  thin  and  lean  as  hardly  to  be  able  to  work  or 
to  do  any  thing. 

"  When,  however,  I  think  that  we  have  sufi:ered  hunger 
so  long,  and  yet  that  none  of  us  is  dead  from  hunger,  it 
seems  wonderful  to  me,  for  I  see  that,  in  spite  of  all,  the 
Saviour  has  always  helped  us  to  find  something  to  relieve 
our  pressing  needs.  Last  summer  the  commandant  gave 
us  provisions  until  autumn,  and  last  winter,  when  we  had 
to  look  out  for  ourselves,  God  sent  a  deep  snow,  which 
lasted  the  whole  winter,  so  that  we  struck  the  deer  dead 
with  the  hatchet  and  lived  upon  them.     As  time  went  on 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1784.  197 

and  we  could  no  longer  find  support  in  the  bush,  since 
the  snow  was  gone,  we  got  along  very  well  with  wild  po- 
tatoes and  by  selling  the  canoes  we  made,  and  now  that 
we  can  no  longer  earn  any  thing  in  this  waj%  the  dear  Sa- 
viour has  already  cared  for  us  beforehand  by  letting  the 
whortleberries  grow  in  such  quantities  that  we  shall  have 
enough  to  eat  until  our  corn  is  ripe.  Thus  we  have,  al- 
though not  too  abundantly,  yet  always  something  to  eat, 
so  that  we  remain  alive.  I  believe,  too,  that  this  want  will 
not  always  last,  but  that  our  dear  Saviour  will  agaiu  give 
us  enoush  to  eat:  whoever  then  is  steadfast  and  lets  not 
himself  be  led  away  from  the  church  in  the  hope  of  better- 
ing his  condition,  he  will  in  the  end  be  glad,  cau  thank  and 
praise  the  Saviour." 

Sunday,  11.  The  white  brethren  read  something  from 
the  Idea  Fidei  ^  together,  for  none  of  the  brethren  were  at 
home. 

Thursday,  15.  Samuel  came  back  from  the  settlement. 
His  wife  was  brought  to  bed  there  with  a  daughter,  but 
this  child  died  after  living  one  da3%  and  was  buried  there 
on  the  Frenchman's  laud.  He  had  been  working  there  to 
earn  his  food. 

Sunday,  18.  In  the  forenoon  we  again  read  together, 
and  in  the  afternoon,  since  the  brethren  came  here,  there 
was  a  meeting  and  discourse  from  the  Scripture-verse. 

Br.  Schebosh,  who  came  from  Detroit,  brought  news 
that  twenty  boats  from  Albany  were  on  their  way  here 
and  had  already  got  to  Oswego,  so  that  we  hope  to  get 
letters  from  the  church  by  the  occasion  ;  further  that  there 
is  great  scarcity  in  Detroit,  and  nothing  to  be  had  for  cash. 
With  his  own  eyes  he  saw  a  Spanish  dollar  offered  a 
baker  for  a  pound  of  bread  and  refused.  A  hundred 
weight  of  fl.oiir  costs  £7,  135.,  and  is  not  to  be  had.  We 
were  so  fortunate  as  to  have  a  Detroit  merchant  in  the 
spring  lend  us  money  to  buy  fiour  with,  when  we  could 
still  get  it  cheap,  namely,  £6.     (£3,  perhaps.) 

Monday,  19.     Our  Indians  again  separated,  some  going 


'  "  Idea  Fidei  Fratrum,  or  Short  Exposition  of  Christian  Doctrine." 


198  zeisberger's  diary. 

to  the  settlement,  others  for  whortleberries,  and  thus  our 
town  was  again  empty,  and  we  white  brethren  were  left 
almost  alone  at  home. 

Saturday,  24.     Some  were  again  here,  and  we  had, 

Sunday,  25,  services.  Day  before  yesterday  and  to-day 
we  had  rains  again,  after  quite  dry  weather,  so  that  all 
our  crops  look  promising  and  give  us  a  good  prospect  for 
a  fine  harvest. 

Monday,  26.  More  than  a  week  ago  Abraham's  daugh- 
ter came  here,  who  left  her  husband  several  years  since, 
went  away  from  the  church  and  afterward,  on  the  Mus- 
kingum, was  sometimes  with  us  and  sometimes  away; 
she  now  gives  out  that  she  would  like  to  live  in  the 
church.  Since  now  we  had  different  opinions  about  this, 
some  having  compassion  with  her  and  maintaining  that 
mercy  should  be  shown  her,  others  opposing  her  coming 
into  the  church,  since  she  can  cause  harm,  and  we  should 
only  take  trouble  upon  ourselves  if  we  again  admitted 
her,  we  took  the  Saviour's  advice  as  to  what  should  be 
done,  and  he  was  not  in  favor  of  her  coming  into  the 
church  at  present.  She  was  therefore  advised  to  go  else- 
where, and  this  she  did. 

Tuesday,  27.  Abraham,  Schebosh  with  his  whole  fam- 
ily, and  others,  went  to  the  settlement  to  support  them- 
selves by  reaping  in  the  harvest  and  gathering  ears;  thus 
our  town  was  left  except  by  Luke  and  his  mother  who 
remained  at  home.  This  makes  the  wolves,  which  have 
already  destroyed  many  cattle,  as  bold  as  if  they  knew 
that  no  Indians  are  at  home,  so  that  at  night  they  come 
into  town  for  our  cattle,  on  which  account  we  have  to 
shut  them  up. 

Saturday,  31.  Some  Mousey  Indians  arrived,  who  had 
come  from  J^iagara  to  Detroit,  and  did  not  themselves 
know  where  to  go.  They  went  through  here  on  their  way 
to  the  whortleberries  for  they  had  nothing  to  eat. 

Sunday,  Aug.  1.  As  no  Indian  brethren  were  at  home 
we  had  service  for  ourselves,  and  read  together  out  of  In- 
structions in  Spiritual  Doctrine,  Idea  Fidei. 

Monday,  2.     Gabriel  came  here  visiting  from  the  Shaw- 


CLIJSTON  RIVER,   1784.  199 

anese  towns  where  most  of  our  Indians  live  together.  He 
said  that  many  wanted  to  be  here  and  talked  at  times 
about  it,  but  could  not  make  up  their  minds ;  they  always 
hoped  that  perhaps  brothers  would  come  to  them.  Some 
Delaware  chiefs,  Twightwees  and  others,  had  counselled 
about  this  where  the  believing  Indians  with  their  teach- 
ers should  live  [for  they  are  not  pleased  that  we  live  here], 
had  also  made  propositions,  but  as  yet  had  come  to  no 
determination. 

We  stay  here  and  await  until  a  door  be  opened,  for  till 
now  all  is  closed.  We  have  been  driven  away  by  them, 
thus  they  must  call  us  back  again.  He  related  that  last 
autumn  all  the  corn  in  that  country  was  frozen  in  the  milk, 
that,  on  this  account,  everywhere  among  the  Indians  there 
is  great  hunger,  and  that  the  snow  there  last  winter  was 
as  deep  as  here. 

Fridav,  6.  Edwards  and  Senseniann  went  to  Detroit, 
returning, 

Sunday,  8.  Br.  David  preached,  and  likewise  held  the 
communion  quarter-hour,  and  announced  to  the  brethren 
the  Lord's  supper  for  the  13th  of  this  month.  Jungmann 
held  the  congregation  meeting.  The  brethren  all  got 
back  home  yesterday  from  the  settlement,  where  they 
have  been  at  work  harvesting,  and  had  earned  something 
to  eat. 

Friday,  13.  Early  this  morning  Sister  Heckewelder 
gave  birth  to  a  daughter,  which,  in  the  afternoon,  was 
baptized  into  the  death  of  Jesus,  with  the  name  Anna 
Salome.  After  addressing  the  communion  brethren  the 
day  before,  we  enjoyed  his  body  and  blood  in  the  holy 
sacrament.  To  them  was  related  first  the  history  of  this 
day,  what  the  Saviour  had  done  in  his  church  fifty-seven 
years  before,'  had  grounded  it  upon  his  flesh  and  blood, 
which  grace  had  since  come  upon  the  heathen  and  upon 
us,  so  that  we  now  also,  by  this  grace,  belonged  to  his 
church,  which  the  gates  of  hell  could  not  overcome. 

Sunday,  15.     Br.  Edwards   preached.     In  the  evening 

'  Particular  visitation  of  grace  in  the  confrregation  of  Herrnhut,  at 
the  holy  communion  in  the  church  at  Berthelsdorf,  1727. 


200  zeisberger's  diary. 

David  held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture- 
verse. 

Monday,  16.  Our  Indians  again  separated,  some  going 
for  whortleberries,  others  to  the  settlement  to  earn  some- 
thing by  their  work  in  the  harvest,  and  thus  they  will  get 
along  until  their  corn  is  ripe.  i 

Friday,  20.  By  Schebosh  back  from  the  Fort,  we  heard 
that  ten  Delaware  Indians  had  been  killed  over  the  Ohio 
in  Kentucky,  probably  because  they  had  done  damage  or 
wished  to  do  it;  that  therefore  all  traders  had  taken  flight 
from  the  Shawanese  towns  to  Detroit,  and  had  to  leave 
every  thing  behind  to  save  their  lives,  for  the  Indians 
wanted  to  kill  all  the  traders.  Thus  there  is  yet  no  peace 
among  the  Indians. 

Sunday,  22.  David  preached  from  the  Gospel:  Jesus 
beheld  the  city,  and  wept  over  it.  On  account  of  hard 
thunder  and  rainy  weather  there  was  no  congregation 
meeting. 

Thursday,  26.  Matthew,  Cornelius'  son,  came  with  a 
couple  of  Indians,  one  Gottlieb,  on  a  visit  from  Gige- 
yunk  (now  Ft.  Wayne).  We  heard  from  them  thus  much 
about  our  Indians,  that  the  greater  part  of  them  lived  by 
themselves  in  a  place  which  Mark  had  chosen  for  them; 
that  an  Indian,  Masktschilitis  by  name,  from  those  of 
Goschachgiink,  was  with  them,  who  was  like  a  chief,  whom 
they  gave  heed  to,  who  had  promised  to  make  it  right 
with  the  Twightwees  about  their  dwelling  there^  and  to  get 
permission  for  them  to  have  a  brother  with  them.  If  this 
was  arrano^ed,  he  wished  to  call  the  brothers  there  as  their 
teachers,  that  is,  at  least  two  hundred,  if  not  three  hun- 
dred, miles  westward  from  here. 

Friday,  27.  To  Abraham,  who  came  back  from  the 
whortleberry  place,  Chippewas  came  where  he  was  en- 
camped, who  said  that  their  chiefs,  the  commandant,  and 
Mr.  Bawbee  had  agreed  in  Detroit,  and  arranged  that  the 
believing  Indians,  with  their  teachers,  should  live  here. 
Mr.  Bawbee,  to  whom  the  land  belongs,  said  to  them  we 
should  live  on  his  land  as. long  as  we  wished,  and  if  peace 
should    come   again,  and  we  wished  to  move  elsewhere, 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1784.  201 

we  could  do  as  we  pleased.  These  Indians  said  they 
were  not  so  ignorant  about  us,  that  they  knew  that  their 
grandfather  [thus  they  called  the  Delawares],  the  believ- 
ing Indians,  were  good  peox^le  who  had  done  much  good 
to  the  Indians. 

Sunday,  29.  Heckewelder  preached  from  the  Gospel 
about  the  Pharisees  and  tax-gatherers.  Sensemann  con- 
ducted the  children's  service.  Chippewas  came  in,  asking 
for  something  to  eat  on  their  way;  this  we  gladly  gave 
them,  for  now  we  have  our  own  bread,  but  until  now  we 
have  been  in  no  condition  to  do  this. 

Friday,  Sept.  3.  We  recalled  to-day  our  captivity  of 
two  years  ago,  with  thankful  hearts  to  our  dear  Lord  who 
has  rescued  us  from  so  much  danger  and  need,  and  has  sent 
us  deliverance,  so  that  now  we  live  again  in  peace  and 
quiet,  and  can  edify  ourselves.  We  remembered  also  our 
flock,  scattered  in  the  Indian  land,  and  wished  the  Sa- 
viour might  again  assemble  and  bring  here  his  elect,  of 
which  we  are  still  always  of  good  hope. 

Saturday,  4.  A  party  of  Frenchmen  came  here  from  De- 
troit, by  way  of  the  river,  for  a  visit,  who  have  never  been 
here.  They  examined  very  carefully  our  town,  and  every- 
thing, and  took  notice  of  all.  They  said  they  had  not 
thought  of  seeing'  here  such  a  town  and  settlement;  we 
had  done  so  much  work  in  so  short  a  time,  and  such  good 
work,  sQch  work  as  the  French  never  do.  They  soon  in- 
quired whether  there  would  be  preaching  to-morrow, 
which  they, 

Sunday,  5,  attended,  and  then  turned  homewards.  Br, 
David  preached,  and  Jungmann  held  the  congregation 
meeting. 

Tuesday,  7.  The  married  brethren  celebrated  their  fes- 
tival with  grace  and  blessing.  At  morning  prayer  Br. 
Jungmann  prayed  for  us  the  close  nearness  and  presence 
of  our  dear  Lord  and  his  blessing  out  of  his  bloody  ful- 
ness for  this  day.  Thereupon  was  the  discourse  from  the 
Scripture-verse:  I  will  guide  thee  with  mine  eye.  In  the 
afternoon  was  a  love-feast  for  all  the  inhabitants.  Br. 
Heckewelder  ended  the  day  with  a  short  discourse  and  the 


202  zeisberger's  diary. 

New  Testament  blessing  (2  Cor.,  xiii,  14).  We  white  breth- 
ren strengthened  ourselves  at  the  end  by  the  body  and 
blood  of  our  Lord  in  his  supper,  and  bound  ourselves  ever 
to  remain  by  his  cross,  to  bear  God's  sufferings  until  we 
see  him  face  to  face. 

Saturday,  11.  This  week  the  Indian  brethren  have  been 
building  their  houses,  and  every  thing  was  therein  consid- 
ered how  they  would  have  place  to  store  their  corn,  a  good 
harvest  of  which  they  expect.  Now  also  the  famine  is 
ended,  and  we  have  enough  to  live  on,  for  which  we  cannot 
thank  enough  our  dear  heavenly  Father. 

Sunday,  12.  Sensemann  preached,  Edwards  held  the 
children's  service,  and  Heckewelder  held  the  congregation 
meeting. 

Monday,  13.  A  Shawano  came  here  with  his  family 
visiting.  His  wife  is  our  Amelia's  sister.  This  night  w-e 
had  the  first  frost,  and  thus  fourteen  days  later  than  last 
year.  We  find,  moreover,  only  a  very  slight  difference 
between  here  and  the  Muskingum,  for  there,  even  at  this 
time,  we  had  frosts  every  year. 

Tuesday,  14.  Jungmann  held  the  early  service  from  the 
Scripture-verse  :  My  cup  runneth  over. 

Wednesday,  15.     Heckewelder  held  early  service, 

Thursday,  16.  David,  from  the  Scripture-verse :  He 
shall  give  his  angels  charge  over  thee. 

Saturday,  18.  This  week  we  began  harvesting.  Ed- 
wards held  the  early  service. 

Sunday,  19.  Jungmann  preached;  afterwards  was  the 
communion  quarter-hour,  and  this  was  announced  for 
next  Saturday. 

Thursday,  23,  and  Friday,  24.  There  was  speaking 
about  the  Lord's  supper,  which  we, 

Saturday,  25,  enjoyed.  William  and  his  wife,  Martha, 
had  the  grace  of  enjoying  it  with  us  for  the  Urst  time  since 
they  have  been  here,  whereover  there  was  great  joy  among 
the  brethren,  and  no  less  with  us  laborers.  With  Sche- 
bosh,  who  came  yesterday  from  Detroit,  we  hoped  to  hear 
of  brothers  from  Bethlehem,  or  to  have  letters  from  there, 
but  affain  there  were  none.     He    heard    there   that    the 


CLINTON   RIVER,    1784.  203 

Americans  will  not  come,  having  received  in  exchange  for 
this  government  two  islands  in  the  West  Indies. 

Sunday,  26.  Br.  David  preached,  after  the  communion 
liturgy  had  been  read  by  Heckewelder.  Jungmann  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 

Mondav,  27.  Both  we  and  the  Indian  brethren  have 
been  busy  harvesting  our  fields,  kept  it  up  the  successive 
days  of  the  week,  and  were  done  with  it.  What  a  differ- 
ence we  found  between  last  year  and  this,  not  only  in  re- 
gard to  our  fields,  but  also  in  the  weather,  for  we  have 
thus  far  had  fine,  warm,  dry  weather.  We  have  a  very 
rich  harvest,  and  every  thing  has  ripened  and  thriven  to 
the  best  advantage,  as  well  as  on  the  Muskingum,  more 
and  more.  How  glad  and  thankful  we  are  that  our  Indian 
brethren  have  once  more  enough  to  eat,  and  that  the  fam- 
ine is  ended,  through  which  they  often  became  listless,  and 
thought  it  would  always  be  so  here,  aud  not  otherwise. 

Friday,  Oct.  1.  Our  neighbor,  Tucker,  came  from  the 
mouth  of  the  river,  visiting.  We  were  done  with  our  corn 
harvest.  A  deer  was  brought  to  town  to-day,  a  thing  rare 
this  year,  for  they  became  very  few  from  severe  weather 
last  winter,  so  that  the  hunters  seldom  see  them.  Raccoon- 
taking  is  now  their  best  hunting,  of  which  there  are  many. 

Sunday,  3.  Edwards  preached.  It  rained  all  day.  Two 
Frenchmen  came  here,  Mitchel's  son  for  a  visit. 

Saturday,  9.  Since  we  had  news  from  Detroit  that  a 
certain  gentleman,  Major  Smallmann,  was  going  to  Pitts- 
burg by  way  of  Sandusk}',  we  wrote  to  Bethlehem.  The 
Indian  brethren  were  very  busy  building,  and  are  almost 
done  with  it.  The  Chippewa  chief  went  through  here. 
Adam,  who  examined  his  musket,  had  bad  luck  with  it, 
for  it  went  off  in  his  hand,  and  he  was  hurt  a  little. 

Sunday,  10.  Heckewelder  preached,  after  this  Br. 
David,  with  Jungmann  and  Sensemann,  set  out  for  De- 
troit over  land,  arriving  there  the  11th.  First  on  the  12th 
he  visited  the  Lord  Geo.  Hay,^  spoke  with  him,  and  told 
him  the  agreement  he  had  made  with  Col.  de  Peyster,  and 

^  De  Peyster's  successor  at  Detroit. 


204  zeisberger's  diary. 

asked  him  about  our  living  here,  and  complained  to  him 
of  our  situation,  that  it  looked  as  if  we  should  not  be 
here  long,  since  we  lived  on  land  belonging  to  Mr.  Bawbee ; 
in  the  two  vears  we  had  been  living  there,  we  had  done 
much  work,  clearing  land  and  building  many  houses;  if 
now  we  should  be  driven  away  from  there,  as  he  had  yes- 
terday heard  said  by  Mr.  Bawbee,  we  should  be  ruined 
anew;  moreover  at  present  we  knew  not  where  to  turn, 
for  we  dared  not  go  into  the  Indian  land,  having  been 
driven  from  it,  elsewhere  w^e  knew  not  where  to  go.  He 
answered  Br.  David  that  we  should  be  altogether  easy  and 
undisturbed,  and  remain  where  we  were;  no  one  could  or 
should  drive  us  away ;  we  were  the  first  settlers  on  the 
land  and  had  improved  it;  we  had  the  nearest  right  to 
it :  no  one  could  make  pretensions  to  lands,  given  by  the 
Indians,  but  whoever  first  lived  on  them  had  the  nearest 
right  to  them  ;  should  the  Chippewas  be  troubled  that  we 
lived  there,  he  would  set  them  right  and  make  them  con- 
tent; should  it  happen  contrary  to  all  his  expectations, 
that  we  could  not  live  there,  they  would  find  a  new  place 
for  us.  Br.  David  thanked  him  for  his  good-will,  and 
after  speaking  to  him  about  different  matters  and  recom- 
mending himself  and  our  Indians  to  his  protection,  took 
leave  of  him.  He  was  otherwise  very  friendly  and  sho>ved 
his  inclination  to  us,  and  promised  to  visit  us  sometime. 
Br.  David  with  the  brethren  came, 

Wednesday,  13,  home  again. 

Friday,  15.  Mr.  Dolson,  our  friend,  came  here  from  De- 
troit, returning  on  the  16th.  During  the  week  all  the 
Indian  brethren  were  making  canoes  in  order  to  get  cloth- 
ing for  the  winter,  since  nothing  is  to  be  got  by  hunt- 
ing. 

16.  The  brethren  were  urged  to  pay  punctually  their 
debts  in  Detroit. 

Sunday,  17.  Br.  David  preached,  and  baptized  in  the 
afternoon  John,  the  son  of  Zachary  and  A.  Elizabeth, 
born  on  the  14th  Inst.  Br.  Jungmann  held  the  congrega- 
tion meeting. 

Monday,    18.     The   Indians    all    set    again   to    making 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1784.  205 

canoes,  to  get  them  ready  and  bring  them  to  Detroit  be- 
fore the  cold  weather  begins. 

Wednesday,  20.  From  Detroit  we  have  news  througb 
Conner,  who  is  come  from  there,  which  a  man  coming 
from  Pittsburg  brought  with  him,  that  the  brethren  in 
Bethlehem  have  petitioned  Congress  for  2,000  acres  of 
land  on  the  Muskingum,  which  was  read  a  second  time  in 
Congress  ;  we  heard  of  this  some  time  ago  by  way  of  Pitts- 
burg. 

Friday,  22.  A  Shawano  came  here  visiting  with  his 
wife;  he  has  already  been  here;  both  are  lame  and  cannot 
longer  support  themselves. 

Saturday,  23.  Ignatius'  mother,  in  whose  heart  the 
work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  has  already  been  seen,  expressed 
her  longing  for  the  bath  of  holy  baptism. 

Sunday,  24.  Br.  Jungmann  preached  about  the  marriage 
garment,  Christ's  blood,  and  righteousness,  which  we  get 
by  grace,  and  without  which  no  man  can  stand  before 
God. 

Monday,  25.  The  Indian  brethren  went  again  to  their 
work  in  the  bush  ;  clifierent  sisters  into  the  settlement  to 
sell  baskets  and  brooms. 

Saturday,  20.  The  above-mentioned  Shawano  intends 
to  pass  the  winter  here  Avith  his  family,  on  which  account 
he  wanted  to  make  a  hut  near  by,  but  after  consulting 
with  the  conference  brethren  we  did  not  find  it  well  to 
give  them  permission,  since  the  Chippewas  might  on  this 
account  be  discontented  with  us  if  we  let  strange  Indians, 
with  whom  they  do  not  stand  well  in  friendship,  settle 
on  their  land. 

Sunday,  31.  Edwards  preached.  David  conducted  the 
children's  service.  We  had  a  conference  with  the  assist- 
ants.    Heckewelder  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  JSTov.  1.  The  Indians  brought  to-day  and  to- 
morrow (sic)  the  canoes  they  have  made,  nine  in  number, 
into  the  water,  and  took  them  to  the  fort  to  sell. 

Wednesday,  3.  Br.  Heckewelder  went  to  Detroit  on 
business. 

Sunday,  7.     Br.  David  preached  and  held  the  congre- 


206  zeisberger's  diary. 

gation  meeting  in  Indian,  for  no  interpreter  was  present, 
and  indeed  only  three  brethren  and  a  few  sisters  were  at 
home.  In  regard  to  climate,  we  have  thus  far  as  fine, 
warm  weather  as  a  man  could  expect,  and  lately  thunder 
with  rain. 

Monday,  8.     Br.  Heckewelder  came  back  from  Detroit. 
He  baptized  there  Hasle's  child,  on  the  6th. 

Tuesday,  9.  Since  it  had  several  times  come  to  our 
ears,  and  now  Br.  Heckewelder  had  heard  much  about  it 
from  the  merchants  about  the  streets  in  Detroit,  that  the 
Chippewas  had  expressed  their  discontent  at  our  Indians 
dwelling  here,  saying  that  they  did  them  great  harm  and 
damage  in  their  hunting,  and  this  went  so  far  that  they 
said  we  would  not  go  away  until  they  had  killed  a  couple 
of  us,  which  would  be  the  occasion  for  their  getting  us  out 
of  their  land.  Since  now  Br.  Heckewelder  who  called 
upon  the  Governor,  and,  among  other  things,  had  told  him 
at  a  proper  time  that  we  thought  of  building  a  regular 
meeting-house  this  autumn,  had  this  answer  from  him, 
that  we  should  let  this  alone,  and  especially  build  noth- 
ing further,  since  no  conclusion  was  yet  reached  either 
about  the  land  or  the  government.  The  Governor  sent 
him  this  message  by  a  colonel.  This  gave  us  occasion  for 
considering  together  what  we  should  do  and  whether  we 
should  undertake  any  thing  in  this  matter  on  our  side,  so 
that,  by  waiting  longer,  we  might  not  come  to  straits  nor 
waste  our  time.  Thus  we  begged  the  Saviour  to  advise  us, 
and  we  asked  him.  He  gave  us  for  answer  that  he  wished 
to  be  asked  something  about  our  conduct  and  outcome  with 
our  Indians.  After  further  consideration  we  made  two  lots. 
The  first  the  Saviour  approved,  that  we  should  consider 
and  resolve  to  go  back  over  the  lake  with  our  Indians. 
The  second  the  Saviour  did  not  approve.  We  added  yet 
a  blank  thereto,  and  drew  the  first.  We  considered  further, 
in  case  we  went  back  over  the  lake,  where  we  should  turn, 
and  we  asked  him  about  this  too.  He  pointed  out  to  us 
the  country  on  the  Walhonding  to  settle  in.  We  thanked 
him  from  our  hearts  for  his  gracious  advice  and  direction ; 
they  were  also  after  our  own  hearts,  although  any  thing 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1784.  207 

like  tins  had  not  before  occurred  to  us,  but  we  were  alto- 
gether here.  We  see  now,  however,  that  that  is  best  for 
us,  for  if  we  move  on  this  side  the  lake  to  another  place, 
the  Chippewas  would  not  be  satisfied,  and  our  Indians 
would  still  be  in  their  way,  and  since  they  wont  have  us 
here,  it  is  best  that  we  go  elsewhere.  Inasmuch  as  we 
have  the  winter  before  us,  we  have  time  to  arrange  mat- 
ters for  departing  in  the  spring,  as  soon  as  the  weather  and 
the  ice  in  the  lake  permit. 

Friday,  12,  We  spoke  with  the  brethren.  "We  sent 
letters  to  Bethlehem  by  Mr.  Wilson,  who  is  going  back  to 
Pittsburg. 

Saturday,  13.  We  did  homage  to  our  Elder,  and  deemed 
ourselves  happy  in  being  under  his  rule,  and  finding  our- 
selves so  blessed.  We  prayed  to  him  and  thanked  him  for 
his  being  among  us,  for  his  care  and  trouble  with  us,  asked 
him  forgiveness  for  all  our  faults  and  shortcomiu£:s,  and 
vowed  to  him  fidelity  and  obedience.  At  the  end  of  the 
day  the  communicants  enjoyed  his  body  and  blood  in  the 
holy  communion. 

Sunday,  14.  After  the  communion  liturgy  Br.  Hecke- 
welder  preached,  and  in  the  afternoon,  towards  evening, 
in  the  congregation  meeting,  Ignatius'  mother,  a  widow, 
was  baptized  into  Jesus'  death  with  the  name  Elizabeth ; 
this  was  the  first  baptism  of  an  adult  in  this  place,  and  was 
blessed  business  over  which  all  the  brethren  were  glad, 
thankful,  and  much  enlivened. 

Monday,  15.  Brs.  Sensemann  and  Schebosh  went  off  to 
Detroit.  Most  of  the  Indian  brethren  went  huntins:  to 
try  to  get  only  one  or  a  couple  of  deer  to  make  shoes 
with,  for  the  hunting  is  not  at  all  good,  and  there  is  nothing 
to  gain  by  it. 

Saturday,  20.  During  the  whole  week  we  have  had 
windy  weather  and  rain,  as  is  usual  here  in  the  autumn 
and  winter,  for  a  fine  day  is  rare. 

Sunday,  21.  Br.  David  preached,  and  Jungmann  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  22.  Sensemann  and  Schebosh  came  back  from 
Detroit  by  laud.     Upon  the  lake  they  had  verj^  stormy 


208  zeisberger's  diary. 

weather,  and  had  to  lie  still  for  ten  days.  Their  canoe 
Avas  split  by  the  waves,  so  that  they  had  to  come  home 
afoot.  By  a  letter  which  Br.  Sensemann  received  in  De- 
troit from  Br.  Brucker,^  from  Hope,  in  Kew  Jersey,  we 
learned  that  things  for  us  from  Bethlehem  must  be  on  the 
way  here  this  side  of  Albany,  which  could  not  get  through 
this  summer,  because  the  passage  to  the  States  was  not 
then  open;  it  will  be  a  wonder  if  these  things  and  letters 
be  not  lost. 

24,  or  thereabout  we  wrote  to  Bethlehem. 

Saturday,  27.  By  Br.  Edwards,  who,  with  Abraham  and 
others  besides,  went  to  Detroit,  Br.  David  wrote  to  the 
honorable  Governor,  telling  him  that  since  we  and  our  In- 
dians heard  time  and  again  that  the  Chippewas  were  dis- 
contented at  our  living  here,  and  indeed  had  threatened 
to  kill  some  of  our  Indians,  we  intended  to  leave  their 
land  as  soon  as  possible ;  he  would  be  so  good  as  to  make 
known  to  them  that  next  spring  we  intended  to  move  back 
again  over  the  lake.  Our  hunters  all  came  home,  their 
whole  hunt  being  two  deer,  a  bear,  and  several  raccoons; 
most  of  them,  however,  had  no  sight  of  a  deer  all  the 
days  they  were  gone. 

Sunday,  28.  Br.  Heckewelder  preached  and  told  the 
brethren  we  were  now  entering  Advent  time,  when  we  es- 
peciall}'  brought  to  our  minds  that  the  Saviour  of  all  men 
was  born  into  the  world. 

Tuesday,  30.  We  ended  the  month  with  praise  and  thanks 
to  the  Lord  that  he  had  so  graciously  helped  us  through 
the  summer  and  autumn  during  the  great  famine,  and  that 
he  had  now  so  richly  blessed  us  in  this,  that  although  our 
Indians  could  gain  little  by  hunting,  they  had  not  only 
enough  to  live  on,  but  also  something  to  sell,  so  as  to  pro- 
vide themselves  with  clothing  for  the  winter. 

Friday,  Dec.  3.  Br.  Edwards  returned  with  the  Indians 
from  Huron  Point  on  the  lake,  where  they  met  so  hard  a 
storm  that  their  canoes  were  filled,  and  for  the  moment 


^Probably  an  agent  of  the  Moravian  mission  at  Hope;  perhaps  son 
of  the  Rev.  John  Brucker,  a  missionary  in  New  Jersey,  who  died  1765. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1784.  209 

sunk,  and  much  of  their  lading  was  lost.  They  had  to 
remain  quiet  twenty-four  hours,  during  the  cold  in  one 
place  where  they  hastily  landed  till  the  storm  should  be 
over,  where  no  wood  was  to  he  had,  for  they  were  sur- 
rounded with  water. 

Saturday,  4.  The  Indians  drove  cattle  to  Detroit  for  the 
merchants. 

Sunday,  5.  Br.  David  preached.  Edwards  went  to  De- 
troit. In  the  afternoon  the  married  sister,  Anna  Sophia, 
daughter  of  Samuel  ISTanticoke,  sick  with  consumption 
from  which  she  suffered  two  months,  suddenly  died  from 
bursting  a  blood-vessel.  Her  remains  were  buried  on  the 
8th.  She  was  baptized  in  Lichtenau  by  David,  Jan.  1, 
'78,  already  a  well-grown  girl ;  from  that  time  she  was  al- 
ways a  quiet,  orderly  maiden,  who  loved  the  Saviour  and 
had  a  tender  heart,  and  often  bewailed  with  tears  her 
wickedness  and  sinfulness,  and  then  she  was  directed  to 
the  Saviour.  January  25th,  of  this  year,  she  was  married 
to  the  single  man,  Andrew,  but  for  two  months  it  could  be 
seen  that  she  had  consumption,  which  made  rapid  progress, 
so  that  we  could  perceive  she  was  nearing  her  end.  In 
her  sickness,  when  she  could  no  longer  get  up,  she  was 
quite  resigned  and  gave  herself  to  the  will  of  the  Saviour, 
and  showed  her  willingness  to  go  to  him.  Yesterday,  as 
also  on  the  5th,  she  burst  a  blood-vessel  and  departed  very 
quietly  and  suddenly  with  the  blessing  of  the  church. 

Tuesday,  7.  Br.  Edwards  came  back  from  Detroit, 
where  he  had  gone  by  laud.  Br,  David  had  written  by 
him  to  the  Grovernor,  telling  him  that  for  many  reasons 
we  intended  in  the  spring  to  leave  this  place  and  to  move 
back  again  over  the  lake ;  that  he  would  be  so  good  as  to 
tell  this  to  the  Chippewa  chiefs,  that  they  might  have 
no  uneasiness  on  our  account.  He  had  nothing  against 
this,  but  said  that  before  that  time  we  should  hear  more 
from  him. 

Sunday,  12.     Br.  Jungmann  preached  ;  in  the  afternoon 
all  our  brethren  were  informed  that  in  the  spring  we  in- 
tended to  move  back  again  over  the  lake,  wherefor  they 
14 


210  zeisberger's  diary. 

should  prepare  through  the  winter,  that  we  might  go  away 
as  soon  as  the  lake  was  open,  which  most  found  to  their 
liking,  and  there  was  real  joy. 

Tuesday,  14.  After  the  Indian  brethren  had  yesterday 
taken  advice  together,  and  divided  themselves  for  the 
work,  they  went  to-day  in  five  parties  to  make  canoes  for 
the  journey,  of  which  they  aim  to  make  fifteen,  and  to 
have  them  all  done  before  they  take  up  any  other  work. 
They  came, 

Saturday,  18,  hack  home,  and  had  already  several  done. 

Sunday,  19.  Br.  Heckewelder  preached  about  the  joy 
of  believers  in  the  Lord  and  Saviour,  who  for  our  sake  put 
on  our  poor  flesh  and  blood.  To  the  communicants  in  their 
service  the  Lord's  supper  was  announced  for  Christmas. 
Br.  David  held  the  congregation  meeting,  and  made  to 
the  children  an  address  of  exhortation. 

Monday,  20.  The  brethren  went  again  to  their  canoe 
work,  and  came, 

Wednesday,  22,  home  again  for  the  address  given  the 
next  day,  and  the  Saviour  gave  grace  that  many  a  one 
among  the  brethren  was  aroused  and  brought  into  the 
right  path. 

Friday,  24.  We  began  Christmas  with  a  love-feast,  re- 
joiced in  God,  our  Saviour,  who  is  also  the  heathen's  Sa- 
viour, and  thanked  him  for  his  incarnation,  birth,  passion, 
and  death,  and  adored  him  in  his  manger.  At  the  end 
candles  were  given  the  children,  wherewith  they  joyfully 
went  home.  [We  thanked  him  that  he  had  made  this 
known  and  revealed  it  for  our  salvation,  for  else  we  were 
blind  as  are  other  heathen.] 

Saturday,  25.  Br.  David  preached.  In  the  afternoon, 
during  service,  Br.  Sensemann  baptized  the  little  daughter 
of  Br.  Thomas  and  his  wife  Sabina,  born  on  the  23d  Inst., 
with  the  name  Judith,  into  the  death  of  Jesus.  In  the 
evening  the  communion  brethren  enjoyed  his  body  and 
blood  in  the  holy  sacrament  in  a  blessed  way. 

Sunday,  26.  Br.  David  preached  from  the  Epistle  :  For 
the  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation  hath  appeared 
to  all  men,  and  in  the  afternoon  exhorted  the  children  to 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1784.  211 


praise  and  gratitude  for  the  little  Jesus  in  liis  manger, 
that  he  had  clad  himself  with  our  poor  flesh  and  blood, 
and  was  born  man ;  this  they  did,  and  sang  to  him  praise 
and  thanks  in  his  little  manger.  Br.  Heckewelder  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  27.  To-day  and  the  following  days  the  breth- 
ren kept  up  their  work,  coming  home  at  night,  and  en- 
couraging one  another,  when  they  came  together,  to  praise 
and  thank  the  Lord.  Jungmann,  who  wished  to  go  to 
Detroit  by  land,  had  to  turn  back  again  on  account  of 
ice,  marsh,  and  water,  for  there  was  no  getting  through 
until  it  was  frozen  harder. 

Tuesday,  31.  Our  second  horse  died,  so  that  thus,  in  a 
few  days,  one  after  the  other,  our  two  best  horses  are  gone. 
The  reason  of  this  is  the  rush-grass,  of  which  there  is 
much  here,  on  which  cattle  live  in  winter  and  grow  fat, 
but  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  that  they  die  from  it,  if  they 
cannot  be  kept  away  from  it.  Towards  midnight  we  as- 
sembled for  the  end  of  the  year,  and  brought  him  our  filial 
thanks  for  all  the  kindnesses  shown  us  this  year,  and  for 
all  the  good  he  had  done  us  body  and  soul.  It  stands 
especially  fresh  in  our  remembrance  that  our  dear  heavenly 
Father  has  so  graciously  and  wonderfully  brought  us 
through  the  famine  which  last  summer  fell  upon  us  and  all 
this  land  ;  that  our  Indian  brethren,  in  the  spring,  sup- 
ported themselves,  partly  by  labor,  partly  by  wild  potatoes 
for  a  while,  and  when  time  went  on,  and  they  could  earn 
nothing  more,  our  heavenly  Father  sent  them  whortle- 
berries, which  grew  in  such  abundance,  a  day's  journey 
from  here,  that  they  had  their  fill  of  them,  and  could  live 
on  them  till  their  corn  was  ripe  ;  this  was,  indeed,  no  nour- 
ishing food,  but  yet  they  could  live  on  them.  ]^ow  it  is 
usual  for  sickness  to  follow  famine,  as  we  have  often  ob- 
served among  the  Indians,  and  so  we  consider  this  the 
greatest  kindness,  that  the  Saviour  has  lent  us  health,  and 
of  sickness  we  have  seen  no  sign.  As  regards  us  white 
brethren,  we  had  to  feel  it  too,  but  the  Saviour  aroused  a 
merchant  in  Detroit,  who  in  the  spring  lent  us  money  so 
that  we  could   buy  much  floor   against  the  want  in  the 


212  zeisberger's  diary. 

summer,  so  that  we  just  got  along  until  our  corn  was  ripe ; 
if  we  had  not  got  the  loan  then,  we  should  have  been 
without  resource,  for  soon  after  nothing  was  to  be  had  for 
cash.  The  dear  heavenly  Father  afterwards,  in  autumn, 
gave  us  a  blessed  harvest,  so  that  we  and  our  Indians  have 
again  enough  to  eat,  which  we  thankfully  acknowledge 
and  praise  him  for  with  joyful  hearts  and  mouths.  That 
our  hearts  could  daily  feed  and  be  refreshed  on  God'a 
word,  we  recognize  as  a  great  kindness  and  mercy  from 
him,  for  still  so  many,  belonging  to  us,  are  robbed  of  this, 
and  must  perish.  We  therefore  beseech  our  dear  Lord 
to  give  us  yet  more  in  the  future,  and  lend  to  those  who 
are  absent  the  grace  to  come  again  to  the  flock,  and  that 
to  them  again  his  divine  word  may  shine  a  clear  light.  We 
thanked  him  also  for  the  quiet  and  peace  which  for  more 
than  two  years  we  have  enjoyed ;  with  all  our  hearts  we 
were  altogether  here,  it  had  also  never  occurred  to  us 
that  we  should  again  so  soon  take  into  our  hands  the  pil- 
grim-staff, but  since  the  Saviour  had  given  us  advice  to 
go  back  over  the  lake  with  our  little  band  of  Indians,  it 
is  also  after  our  own  hearts,  for  when  we  consider  the 
journey  lying  before  us,  we  see  many  difficulties  which 
are  coupled  with  danger  in  getting  over  the  lake.  We 
do  not  doubt,  however,  that  he  will  move  with  us,  go 
before  us,  and  prepare  the  way,  that  his  advice  and  wish 
will  be  carried  out  for  the  praise  and  glory  of  his  name. 
In  conclusion,  we  asked  his  forgiveness  of  our  faults  and 
transgressions,  which  we  confessed  to  him ;  he  comforted 
us,  and  let  his  peace  rest  upon  us,  with  which  we  entered 
upon  the  new  year. 

We  have  had  the  holy  communion  nine  times  this  year, 
whereto  one  came  for  the  first  time. 

One  woman  has  been  baptized  who  came  to  us  this  year. 

Eight  children  have  been  born,  four  boys  and  four  girls. 

Three  couples  have  been  married. 

Two  adults  have  died. 


CLINTON   RIVER,    1785.  213 


CHAPTER  y. 

1785. 
New   Gnadenhutten,  on   the   Clinton,   Michigan. 

Saturday,  January  1.  Heckewelder  preached ;  after- 
wards all  baptized  brethren  had  a  service.  We  gave  our- 
selves up  to  him  anew  to  be  entirely  his  own,  renewed  our 
covenant  which  we  had  made  with  him  in  holy  baptism, 
and  begged  his  mercy,  that  through  nothing,  be  it  life  or 
death,  might  we  be  separated  from  him  and  his  people, 
and  vowed  to  him  fidelity  and  obedience.  Since  we  had 
received  no  Scripture- verses  and  texts  for  this  year,  we 
took  for  use  those  of  1782,  and  Br.  Jungmann  held  the 
congregation  meeting  from  the  first  Scripture-verse  of  this 
year :  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  before  they  call  I  will 
answer,  and  whilst  they  are  yet  speaking  I  will  hear.  Com- 
plete thy  work  and  crown  thy  grace — That  I  may  faithful 
prove.  And  the  text  read :  Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yester- 
day, to-day,  and  forever.  In  this  we  ever  rejoice.  ISTame 
and  deed  are  one.  He  is  called  and  is  also  Jesus,  which  we 
had  already  considered  in  the  service  for  the  baptized. 

Sunday,  2.  Br.  David  preached ;  Br.  Edwards  held  the 
congregation  meeting. 

"Wednesday,  5.  For  some  days  now  we  have  had  severe 
winter  weather  and  cold.  The  snow  is  over  a  foot  deep  ; 
the  creek  has  been  frozen  for  two  weeks,  so  that  sledges 
can  be  used  on  it  with  safety. 

Thursday,  6.  On  this  day,  Epiphany,  the  Saviour  of  the 
heathen  made  himself  especially  known  to  his  little  flock, 
which  he  has  got  together  from  the  heathen,  held  fast  by 
the  doctrine  of  his  sufferings  and  his  death,  which  he  has 
also  guarded  and  protected  from  all  temptations,  and  held 
for  his  glory  through  all  the  trials  that  have  befallen  it ;  for 


214  zeisberger's  diary. 

this  we  adore  him  and  cannot  thank  him  enough.  [^Why 
then  should  we  not  cheerfully  have  patience  with  their 
weaknesses,  since  the  Saviour  has  had  so  much  patience 
with  them  and  shown  them  grace,  and  since  we  are  eye- 
witnesses that  they  are  an  object  of  his  mercy,  and  above 
all  they  are  his,  dearly  bought  with  blood,  the  price  of  his 
woes,  with  wbom  he  will  sometime  be  adorned  ?] 

In  the  morning  prayer  Br.  Jungmann  asked  his  bloody 
blessing  for  this  day,  and  committed  us  and  all  heathen 
churches  to  his  mercy.  Then  was  the  service  for  the  bap- 
tized, in  which  still  another  discourse  from  the  Scripture- 
verse:  The  Lord  is  exalted,  for  he  dwelleth  on  high.  He 
hath  filled  Zion  with  righteousness,  and  the  text:  Rejoice, 
ye  Gentiles,  with  his  people.  Two,  namely,  Ignatius  and 
Joseph,  were  absolved,  kneeling  before  the  church  amid 
many  tears,  whereby  a  blessed  feeling  and  the  Saviour's 
nearness  were  noticed.  In  the  afternoon  at  the  love-feast 
the  brethren  were  reminded  that  on  this  day  all  our 
churches  thought  of  them  before  the  Saviour,  and  sympa- 
thized in  the  grace  he  had  shown  them,  that  as  he  had  es- 
pecially intrusted  to  his  church  to  announce  the  Gospel  to 
the  heathen,  they  rejoiced  and  thanked  him,  when  they 
saw  that  the  Saviour  blessed  their  pains  and  work  ;  that 
they  must  look  upon  our  church  in  Bethlehem  and  beyond 
the  great  waters  as  their  mother,  for  from  them  the  word 
of  God  was  come  to  themselves,  therefore  also  we  were 
glad  to  have  fellowship  one  with  another  and  liked  to  hear 
from  one  another,  that  the  Saviour  might  have  praise  and 
thanks  for  what  he  had  done  to  us  and  among  us.  In  the 
concluding  service,  which  Sensemann  held  in  the  evening^ 
we  thanked  him  for  the  blessing  he  had  let  fall  upon  us 
this  day  from  his  bloody  fulness,  and  ended  with  the  bless- 
ing of  the  church. 

Saturday,  8.  They  brought  into"  town  the  canoe  the 
brethren  have  made  for  our  journey.  Our  third  horse 
died,  so  now  we  have  none. 

Sunday,  9.     Br.  Heckewelder  preached,  and  then  the 


^  This  paragraph  in  brackets  is  struck  out  of  the  original. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1785.  215 

I 

boys  had  a  service ;  they  were  exhorted  to  take  the  boy 
Jesus  for  their  example,  to  beg  from  him  above  all,  obedi- 
ent hearts,  as  he  was  obedient  and  subject  to  his  parents. 
At  the  end  we  recommended  them  and  our  youth  to  him 
in  prayer,  to  his  grace  and  protection.  Br.  Jungmann  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  10.  David  held  the  early  service.  The  breth- 
ren came  together  to  consider  and  set  about  the  work  they 
have  to  do  for  our  journey. 

Tuesday,  11.  Most  went  again  about  their  Avork  of 
making  canoes,  which  is  indeed  a  hard  task,  but  seems  not 
so  to  them,  for  they  want  to  go  back  over  the  lake. 

Wednesday,  12.  Sensemann  returned  from  the  Fort, 
bringing  news  that  the  brethren  had  got  10,000  acres  of 
land^  from  Congress,  which  was  brought  by  a  gentleman 
from  Pittsburg.  We  heard  that  the  wolves  become  very 
bold,  go  in  packs,  and  destroy  many.  In  this  neigh- 
borhood, on  Wolf  creek,  they  eat  up  a  Chippewa  Indian 
and  his  wife,  and  followed  several  others,  who  could  barely 
save  themselves;  this  happens  because  there  is  almost  no 
game  for  their  support ;  thus  it  is  unsafe  for  a  man  to  go 
alone  into  the  bush. 

Saturday,  15.  The  brethren  came  home  from  canoe- 
making  ;  they  have  ten  ready,  and  five  yet  to  make. 

Sunday,  16.  David  preached,  Edwards  held  the  congre- 
gation meeting.  A  Chippewa  family  came  here,  and  re- 
mained over  night;  they  were  well  received  and  enter- 
tained, and  presented  also  with  some  corn.  The  Indian 
brethren  spoke  much  with  the  man,  saying  to  him,  among 
other  things,  that  next  spring  we  were  going  away  from 
here;  we  had  often  heard  they  were  discontented  at  our 


^May  20,  1785,  Congress  ordered  that  "the  said  towns  (on  the  Mus- 
kingum) and  so  much  of  the  adjoining  towns  as  in  the  judgment  of 
the  geographer  of  the  United  States  might  be  sufficient  for  them,  be 
reserved  for  the  sole  use  of  the  Christian  Indians  formerly  settled 
there."  Two  years  later  Congress  added  10,000  acres  to  this  grant. 
The  Moravians  had  petitioned  Congress  on  this  subject  as  early  as  1783, 
and  hence  Zeisberger's  statement  of  the  rumor.  See  Taylor's  Hist,  of 
Ohio,  p.  396. 


216  zeisberger's  diary. 

living  on  their  land,  therefore  we  now  wished  to  let  them 
know  we  were  going  away.  He  answered  :  Yes,  it  was 
indeed  true  that  one  of.  their  chiefs,  who  lived  on  the  east 
side  of  Lake  St.  Clair,  where  he  had  land  and  his  town, 
had  been  dissatisfied,  and  had  made  the  young  people  ill- 
disposed  towards  us,  but  that  they  had  killed  him.  Thus 
it  goes  among  the  Indians — some  are  for  and  others  against 
a  thing. 

Monday,  17.  A  Frenchman  came  here  in  a  sledge,  with 
all  sorts  of  things  to  trade.  The  wolves  followed  Renatus, 
who  had  gone  down  to  the  lake,  upon  the  ice.  Inasmuch 
as  he  had  on  skates,  he  waited  a  little  to  see  whether  they 
were  really  aiming  at  him,  and  when  they  got  reasonably 
near,  he  hurried  away. 

Saturday,  22.  Mr.  Dolson  came  with  his  wife  and  four 
others,  among  whom  was  a  captain  from  the  navy,  from 
Detroit.  They  left  their  sleighs  at  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
because  the  ice  was  not  trustworthy,  and  came  here  by 
land.  On  the  23d,  they  were  very  attentive  during  the 
sermon,  and  afterwards,  among  themselves,  spoke  much 
of  what  they  had  heard,  for  the  discourse  was  in  English. 
A  ship's  captain  felt  himself  touched,  and  went  about 
afterwards  thoughtfully,  and  said  the  minister  in  his  ser- 
mon had  to  do  with  him  alone;  that  the  whole  sermon 
was  aimed  at  him ;  that  he  had  shown  him  clearly  and 
plainly  how  things  stood  with  him,  and  had  spoken  the 
truth.  To-day  they  visited  us  in  our  houses,  and  the  first 
had  the  desire,  since  we  were  going  away,  to  hold  a  farm 
here  and  give  us  something  for  our  improvements,  if  it 
could  be  done.  They  went  away  on  the  24th.  On  that 
same  day  came  Mr.  "Wilson,  with  a  German  named  Charles 
Turner,  and  a  Frenchman.  The  German  is  a  schoolmaster 
in  Detroit,' was  a  prisoner  in  Bethlehem,  from  Burgoyne's 
army,  a  private  soldier.  The  first  earnestly  asked  us  and 
persisted  that  we  should  marry  him,  and  since  both  he 
and  those  with  him  gave  sufficient  grounds  and  moving 
reasons,  against  which  we  had  nothing  to  urge,  the  mar- 
riage took  place  on  the  25th,  to  the  content  and  satisfac- 
tion of  all  present.     They  returned  home  on  the  26th. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1785.  217 

Thursday,  27th.  Frenchmen  came  with  three  sledges, 
bringing  apples  to  exchange  for  corn,  and  in  this  way  is 
the  corn  got  away  from  our  Indians,  so  that  in  the  end 
they  will,  have  to  suffer  for  their  imprudence,  and  then 
when  they  have  no  longer  any  thing  to  eat,  they  will  over- 
run us,  and  we  must  give  them  bread. 

Saturday,  29.  The  brethren  finished  the  canoes  for  the 
journey,  seventeen  in  number. 

Sunday,  30.  Br.  Heckewelder  preached,'  David  held 
the  communion  quarter-hour,  Sensemann  the  congregation 
meeting.  From  all  we  learn  from  Detroit  we  see  that 
both  the  Justice  and  several  of  the  most  prominent  men, 
English  and  French,  stand  in  the  background,  but  are  the 
real  instigators  of  the  Chippewas,  and  use  them  as  tools 
to  get  LIS  away  from  here  in  order  to  make  themselves 
masters  of  our  settlement,  and  they  have  themselves  fallen 
into  strife  about  the  land  we  live  on,  and  each  one  wishes 
to  be  the  owner  of  it. 

Monday,  31.  From  Detroit,  a  sister  visited  us  from  New 
York,  Cornwall  by  name,  who  left  Kew  York  in  October 
and  got  to  Detroit  in  N^ovember,  where  her  husband  is  in 
the  king's  service  in  the  navy  here.  From  her  we  first 
learned  that  our  dear  brother,  John  (de  Watteville),  and  his 
company,  came  prosperously  to  Philadelphia  last  summer. 
She  went  back  the  2d,  taking  leave  of  us  with  tears,  and 
wished  she  could  stay  with  us. 

Tuesday,  Feb.  1.  Mr.  Dolson,  his  brother,  and  some 
others  came  here  from  Detroit,  and  carried  away  corn, 
since  we  were  in  debt  to  them.  They,  and  also  Mrs.  Corn- 
wall, went  back  on  the  2d. 

Saturday,  5.  We  had  the  holy  communion,  accom- 
panied by  the  blessed  Saviour's  near  presence. 

Sunday,  6.  Edwards  preached  after  the  communion 
liturgy,  read  by  David,  wherein  the  importance  of  the  Lord's 
supper  was  dwelt  upon,  and  the  brethren  were  admonished 
not  to  regard  it  superficially,  nor  as  a  common  thing,  nor 
through  unworthy  matters  to  deprive  themselves  of  the 
communion,  whereby  they  would  become  dry  and  dead 
in  heart.     In  the  afternoon  in  the  service  Br.  David  bap- 


218  zeisberger's  diary. 

tized  the  little  daughter  of  Renatus  and  A.  Regina,  born 
yesterday,  with  the  name  Anna  Justina.  Br.  Jungmann 
held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  7.  Heckewelder  and  Schebosh  went  to  De- 
troit, the  Indian  brethren  partly  hunting,  partly  making 
canoes. 

Wednesday,  9.  Mr.  Tucker  came  here  with  his  fam- 
ily, he  asked  for  the  baptism  of  his  child,  whom  Br.  David 
baptized.     Heckewelder  came  from  the  fort. 

Sunday,  13.  David  preached.  Jungmann  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting. 

Monday,  14.  Justice  IN'athan  "Williams  ^  and  others 
came  from  Detroit  to  see  our  place.  The  first  spoke 
with  us  apart  about  our  moving  away,  and  said  that  it 
was  a  pity  that  we  who  had  done  so  much  work  here 
should  now  go  away  and  turn  our  backs  upon  all  our  la- 
bor, and  he  ofi"ered,  if  we  would  remain,  to  take  upon 
himself  to  arrange  matters  with  the  Chippewas,  and  to 
satisfy  them  so  that  they  should  not  molest  us.  We  an- 
swered him  it  was  too  late,  we  were  now  ready  and  de- 
termined to  go. 

Tuesday,  15.  Mr.  Capt.  McKee  came  with  a  large  suite, 
who  bought  cattle,  hogs,  hay,  corn,  and  all  sorts  of  things 
from  us.  Capt.  McKee  was  particularly  friendly  to  us  ;  he 
approved  our  departure  over  the  lake,  saying  that  he  saw 
very  well  that  our  Indians  could  do  nothing  here,  they 
had  no  hunting,  and  though  they  were  quite  able  to  sup- 
port themselves  by  working,  yet  they  were  cheated  out 
of  their  own  by  Detroit  merchants,  this  he  had  himself 
often  observed ;  he  wished  also,  he  said,  by  a  good  oppor- 
tunity, to  send  a  message  to  the  Indians  over  the  lake, 
to  announce  our  return,  and  at  the  same  time  to  advise 
them  to  give  us  a  good  reception — not  in  the  least  to 
molest  us  [for  he  may  well  have  been  conscious  that  he 
formerly  has  blackened  us  among  the  Indians].  He 
wished  at  the  same  time  to  clear  himself  of  having  had 
any  hand  in  our  being  taken  captive,  as  he  plainly  gave 


^A  justice  of  the  peace,  by  trade  a  carpenter. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1785.  219 

us  to  understand,  laying  the  most  blame  on  Col.  de  Pey- 
ster,  and  he  again  denies  it.  Let  him  have  it  as  he  .will, 
we  know  well  enough  how  the  matter  stands.  Each  one, 
however,  who  had  a  hand  in  it  would  now  like  to  clear 
himself;  it  is  evident  they  are  sorry  to  have  broken  up 
the  Brothers'  Mission,  and  would  willingly  seek  to  make 
all  good  again  if  only  they  knew  how,  but  not  even  kings 
could  do  this,  much  less  they. 

Sunday,  20.  Jungmann  preached.  David  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting. 

Monday,  21.  Most  of  the  Indian  brethren  went  off  to 
make  canoes  to  sell,  and  thus  pay  the  debts  they  were 
forced  to  incur  during  the  famine,  and  this  is  their  only 
way. 

Wednesday,  23.  Adam,  who  came  back  from  Detroit 
and  spoke  there  with  McKee,  related  that  news  had  come 
from  the  Indian  land,  that  Indians  of  all  nations  were  re- 
tained in  Pittsburg,  and  kept  like  prisoners,  on  which  ac- 
count some  had  again  gone  to  war,  and  McKee  had  said 
to  him  that  peace  was  not  yet  established  in  the  Indian 
land;  we  should  therefore  do  better  to  wait  and  plant 
one  more  year  here,  although  he  had  said  nothing  like  this 
to  us  here.  This  news  spread  among  our  Indians,  and 
there  were  different  opinions,  so  that  many  wished  not  to 
go  away,  but  to  plant  here,  but  we  kept  silent  in  the  mat- 
ter till  we  should  get  more  exact  news  and  information. 
He  also  said  to  Adam  that  he  had  sent  a  message  to  the 
nations  about  our  moving  over  the  lake,  to  open  the  way 
for  us. 

Sunday,  27.  Edwards  preached,  and  Heckewelder  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  28.  Sensemann  held  early  service.  The  In- 
dian brethren  brought  their  canoes  from  the  bush  into  the 
water. 

Wednesday,  March  2.  We  laborers  had  a  conference 
and  considered  about  Br.  Jungmann  and  his  wife  who 
wanted  to  go  to  Bethlehem,  and  about  Br.  Sensemann  and 
his  wife  who  wished  to  send  their  child  there,  and  since 
we  intended  to  move  back  over  the  lake  with  our  Indians, 


220  zeisberger's  diary. 

and  must  again  begin  anew,  we  could  oppose  nothing  to 
their  wishes,  as  enough  of  us  would  yet  remain  here. 
We  found  the  best  and  easiest  way  for  them  to  take  was 
through  Niagara,  Oswego  and  Albany,  for  we  had  no 
horses  to  go  by  way  of  Pittsburg.  Br.  Jungmann  and  his 
wife  undertook  at  the  same  time  to  take  with  them  to 
Bethlehem  little  Polly  Heckewelder.^ 

Friday,  4.  Mr.  Dolson  came  from  Detroit,  from  whom 
we  heard  that  Capt.  Pipe,  who  had  much  to  do  with 
our  captivity  in  Gnadenhiitten,  on  the  Muskingum,  and 
had  there  been  especially  prominent,  had  been  killed  in 
Pittsburg.^  If  this  should  prove  true,  it  would  cause  un- 
easiness among  the  Indians,  particularly  among  the  Wolf 
tribe  of  the  Delawares,  whose  head  man  he  was,  although 
the  other  tribes  were  not  pleased  with  his  conduct  in  this 
war,  and  especially  with  regard  to  our  captivity,  and  not 
at  all  satisfied  with  him. 

Sunday,  6.  David  preached  and  Jungmann  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting.  Most  of  the  brethren  had  come  home 
from  making  sugar  or  canoes,  but  the  weather  is  yet  too 
cold  for  making  sugar,  and  this  night  a  fine  snow  fell. 

Monday,  7.  Br.  Edwards  held  early  service.  Hecke- 
welder  returned  from  Detroit,  where  he  spoke  both  with 
the  Governor  and  with  McKee.  Both  expressed  them- 
selves in  regard  to  our  moving  over  the  lake  as  follows : 
they  held  it  best,  and  therefore  only  wished  to  advise  us 
to  wait  a  little  until  autumn  for  the  two  following  reasons  : 
first,  since  the  Americans  and  nations  were  yet  engaged 
together  in  negotiations  on  the  one  part  about  their  land 
and  had  not  yet  come  to  terms,  that  also  disputes  and 
disagreements  about  lands  had  arisen  among  the  nations 
themselves,  and  therefore  it  would  not  be  the  best  thing 
for  us  to  be  mixed  up^in  them.  He,  the  Governor,  and  the 
colonels  had  strict  orders  from  England   to  protect  our 

^Joanna  Maria  Heckevvelder,  born  April  6,  1781.  She  died  in  1868, 
over  87  years  old.  For  a  time  she  was  thought  to  be  the  first  white 
child  born  within  the  limit  of  the  present  State  of  Oliio. 

^  His  death  was  not  until  1794. 


CLINTON   RIVER,    1785.  221 

mission  in  every  possible  way;  therefore  they  wished  to 
expose  us  to  no  danger,  but  to  advise  us  to  wait  until  au- 
tumn, for  then  every  thing  would  be  arranged  and  in  or- 
der. Secondly,  it  was  not  advisable  for  us  to  go  this 
spring,  for  we  should  have  to  cross  the  lake  already  in 
April,  and  then  it  was  hazardous  and  very  doubtful 
whether  we  should  reach  our  destination  at  the  right  time 
and  be  able  to  plant.  The  month  of  April  was  a  very 
stormy  month,  and  it  would  be  dangerous  at  that  time  to 
cross  the  lake.  They  advised  us  for  these  reasons  to  plant 
again  here,  and  to  go  away  in  the  autumu,  but  if  we 
wished  to  go  now  after  they  had  imparted  to  us  their  ad- 
vice, they  would  not  and  could  not  retain  us.  We  labor- 
ers considered  thus  the  circumstances,  and  at  the  same 
time  the  direction  the  Saviour  had  given  us,  but  that  we 
also  then,  when  we  had  this  direction  from  the  Saviour, 
had  a  lot  that  it  was  also  unnecessary  to  hurry.  If  then 
no  important  circumstance  had  arisen,  we  should  have 
gone  this  spring,  but  since  now  there  was  a  weighty  cause, 
we  could  still  wait  without  acting  contrary  to  our  lot,  for 
we  were  not  bound  to  go  this  spring.  That  the  Saviour 
had  so  early  given  us  and  let  us  know  his  directions,  was 
necessary  for  this  reason,  since  both  we  and  our  Indian 
brethren  were  in  debt,  which  we  were  forced  to  incur 
during  the  famine,  and  which  required  time  for  paynient; 
for  this  we  had  done  our  best  during  the  winter,  and  praise 
be  to  Grod,  had  brought  the  matter  so  far  that  we  were  all 
free  from  debt  and  could  go  where  we  would.  We  re- 
solved, therefore,  to  plant  once  more  here.  It  might  be 
that  before  that  time  we  should  get  better  and  more  fa- 
vorable news  from  the  Indian  laud  over  the  lake.  Capt. 
McKee,  who,  on  our  account,  had  sent  a  message  to  the 
Indians  there  and  informed  them  that  we  thought  of  going 
back  again,  was  expecting  an  answer,  which  he  would 
communicate  to  us  upon  its  receipt. 

Saturday,  12.  Our  Indians  came  home  from  the  bush, 
part  from  making  canoes,  part  from  their  sugar-huts. 
The  weather  is  always  too  cold  for  this  last  work,  and 
there  is  nothing  to  be  done  at  it.     If  for  a  day  we  chance 


222  ,         zeisbergek's  diary. 

to  have  fine  weather,  it  is  sure  to  snow  the  next,  and  so  it 
keeps  on.     As  it  seems,  we  shall  have  a  late  spring. 

Sunday,  13.  Heckewelder  preached  and  Senseman  held 
the  congregation  meeting.  He  spoke  with  the  assistant 
brothers,  and  told  them  our  thoughts  about  going  away 
and  staying  here ;  that  we  thought  of  waiting  until  au- 
tumn, and  this  was  afterwards  made  known  to  all  the 
brethren. 

Monday,  14.  Jungmann  held  early  service.  Samuel 
and  Stephen  drove  cattle  to  Detroit.  It  snowed  again. 
They  came  back  Wednesday,  the  16th,  bringing  news  that 
in  the  Indian  land  there  was  nothing  noteworthy  and  noth- 
ing to  be  feared. 

Sunday,  20.  Brother  David  preached  from  the  Epistle, 
Phil.,  ii,  5  :  Let  this  mind  be  in  you,  which  was  also  in 
Christ  Jesus,  and  he  announced  to  the  brethren  the  ap- 
proach of  passion  week  and  the  holidays,  saying  that  as 
our  Saviour  humbled  himself  and  became  obedient  unto 
death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross,  so  also  we  should  be 
obedient  to  God's  word  for  our  eternal  salvation.  To  the 
communicants  the  Lord's  supper  was  announced  for 
Maundy  Thursday.  Br.  Heckewelder  held  the  congrega- 
tion meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse  of  the  day. 

Tuesday,  22.  By  William,  who  came  back  from  Detroit, 
we  had,  quite  unexpectedly,  but  to  our  excessive  joy,  a 
package  of  letters  from  Bethlehem,  by  way  of  Niagara, 
together  with  Scripture-verses  for  this  year.  The  most 
noteworthy  thing  was  a  letter  from  the  U.  A.  Conference,^ 
and  also  a  writing  in  his  own  hand  from  Br.  John  (de 
Watte ville.)  Col.  de  Peyster,  in  Niagara,  got  the  packet 
from  an  Oneida  Indian,  wrote  to  us  about  it,  inclosed  the 
packet  with  his  own  letter,  and  forwarded  it  to  Detroit. 
This  gave  us  all  extraordinary  joy. 

Thursday,  24.  In  the  evening  there  was  a  reading  of 
the  history;  then  the  communicants  had"the  washing  of 
feet  and  afterwards  the  holy  communion,  whereby  Jacob 
was  a  candidate. 


^See  Introduction. 


*      CLINTON   RIVER,   1785.  223 

Friday,  25.  We  read  the  history  of  the  passion  in  four 
parts,  which  was  listened  to  with  great  attention  and 
eagerness,  and  with  moved  hearts.  At  the  death  of  our 
Saviour  we  read,  kneeling,  the  liturgy,  and  many  tears 
rolled  down  our  cheeks.  Also  early  in  the  first  service 
mention  was  made  of  the  day,  that  God,  our  Saviour,  had 
come  into  the  flesh  that  he  might  offer  his  life  as  a  sacrifice 
for  our  sins,  and  that  by  his  death  he  had  brought  back 
eternal  life  and  blessedness. 

Saturday,  26,  Avas  a  love-feast  for  all  the  inhabitants. 
At  the  service  the  brethren  were  greeted,  both  by  Brs. 
Joseph  and  John,^  whom  some  among  us  were  found  to 
know,  and  by  the  brethren  this  side  and  the  other  side  of 
the  sea,  and  they  were  assured  of  the  recollectig)n  and 
prayers  of  all  our  churches,  which  aroused  wonderful  joy 
among  them. 

Sunday,  27.  We  read  the  Easter  litany,  partly  in  the 
chapel,  and  partly  in  the  graveyard,  and  at  the  proper 
place  thought  of  the  sisters,  Zipporah  and  Anna  Sophia, 
who  had  died  since  last  year.  Afterwards  a  portion  of  the 
history  of  the  resurrection  was  read.  Br.  Jungmann 
preached,  and  Heckewelder,  in  the  evening,  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse. 

Tuesday,  29.  The  brethren  again  got  ready  and  went 
to  their  sugar-huts,  but  this  year  the  spring  is  very  bad, 
nothing  but  snow-squalls  and  rain,  and  as  it  seems,  a  late 
spring.  Our  creek  broke  up  and  gave  us  higher  water 
than  we  have  ever  had. 

Saturday,  April  2.  The  creek  was  always  rising,  and 
the  weather  was  very  stormy,  but  the  lake  is  yet  frozen, 
so  that  there  is  no  getting  to  Detroit. 

Sunday,  3.  Sensemann  preached,  Br.  David  held  the 
quarter-hour  service  for  the  baptized  from  the  text  of  the 
day,  and  brought  to  memory  this  memorial  day  of  those 
who  have  been  baptized  this  year.  Here  only  one  has  this 
year  been  baptized.  At  the  end  the  brethren  were  told 
we  should  not  move  away  from,  here  this  spring,  but  wait 


^Spangenberg  and  de  Watteville  are  here  referred  to. 


224  zeisberger's  diary 

until  autumn.  Besides,  we  see  no  possibility  of  this,  for 
now  would  be  our  time  for  departure,  and  the  lake  is  yet 
frozen,  though  other  years  it  has  already  been  open  at  this 
time.  Three  years  ago  we  came  on  the  20th  of  April  to 
Detroit,  and  no  longer  was  ice  to  be  seen. 

Monday,  4.  Most  of  the  brethren  went  to  their  sugar- 
huts,  but  this  year  is  bad  for  sugar,  so  that  there  will  be 
little  of  it  made,  for  we  have  always  either  rain  or  snow- 
squalls,  and  very  seldom  a  fine  day. 

Wednesday,  6.  The  Indian  brethren  brought  the  canoes 
they  have  made  out  of  the  bush  into  the  water,  and  got 
them  here.     Juugmann  held  early  service. 

Thursday,  7.  Heckewelder  held  early  service.  It  rained 
and  snowed  all  day. 

Sunday,  10.  David  preached.  In  the  afternoon  the 
Indian  brethren  went  to  the  lake  to  bring  their  canoes 
into  the  water,  and  the  sisters  to  the  sugar-huts,  for  the 
trees  ran  to-day. 

Monday,  11.  At  a  love-feast  we  laborers  had  together, 
we  congratulated  Br,  David  on^his  sixty-fifth  birthday,  and 
our  hearts  blessed  him. 

Sunday,  17.     Heckewelder  preached. 

Monday,  18.  Since  the  lake  is  now  open,  Brs.  Jungmann, 
Sensemann,  and  Heckewelder  went  to  Detroit — the  first 
two  to  set  their  afiairs  there  in  order  before  their  depart- 
ure for  Bethlehem,  and  likewise  to  learn  of  some  ship 
sailing.  At  the  same  time  went  most  of  the  Indian  breth- 
ren, and  also  many  sisters,  to  sell  the  canoes  which  they 
have  made  this  winter,  and  to  pay  their  debts.  "We  heard 
the  next  day,  however,  it  was  so  stormy  on  the  lake  that  no 
canoe  could  go,  and  they  had  to  encamp  at  the  mouth  of 
the  river. 

Thursday,  20.  Last  night  and  all  day  yesterday  it 
snowed,  and  was  also  very  windy,  and  so  it  kept  on  to- 
day. It  is  a  very  late  spring,  still  always  cold,  and  every 
day  stormy,  so  that  we  very  well  see  that  we  should  have 
been  in  no  condition  to  get  over  the  lake,  before  planting- 
time. 

Sunday,  24.     Br.  David   preached   in   Indian.     In  the 


CLINTON   RIVER,   1785.  225 

afternoon  Brs.  Jungmann,  Heckewelder,  and  Sensemann 
came  back  from  Detroit,  likewise  also  the  Indian  breth- 
ren. In  a  few  weeks  there  will  be  an  opportunity  to  sail 
for  Niagara. 

Thursday,  26.  After  early  service  was  the  communion 
quarter-hour.  This  was  announced  to  the  brethren  for 
next  Saturdav. 

Thursday,  28.     We  planted  our  bread-corn. 

Friday,  29.  Both  yesterday  and  to-day  we  spoke  Avith 
the  brethren,  and  the  Saviour  gave  us  the  grace  of  finding 
more  in  them  to  rejoice  in  than  to  be  sad  over. 

Saturday,  30.  At  the  Lord's  supper  Zachary  was  for 
the  first  time  a  partaker,  and  Christina,  Jacob's  wife,  was 
a  candidate. 

Sunday,  May  1.  Br.  Heckewelder  preached.  In  the 
afternoon  all  the  baptized  brethren  were  told  that  we 
found  ourselves  compelled  to  send  away  Joseph  on  ac- 
count of  his  bad  conduct,  for  he  is  a  blemish  in  the  church, 
so  that  we  feel  ashamed  of  him  before  the  world,  since  he 
brings  us  into  ill  repute  and  makes  us  a  bad  name. 

Monday,  2.  Br.  Edwards  and  several  Indian  brethren 
went  ofi"to  Detroit. 

Tuesday,  3.     Ignatius'  brother  came  visiting. 

Thursday,  5.  After  reading  the  history  of  the  Ascen- 
sion, we  prayed  to  our  dear  Lord,  asking  for  his  unseen 
presence  and  daily  and  hourly  walking  with  him.  The 
sermon  thereupon  was  preached  by  Br.  David  from  the 
text  of  to-day  :  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway  even  unto  the 
end  of  the  world. 

Friday,  6.  Br.  Edwards  came  back  from  the  Fort;  no 
ship  had  yet  come  from  Fort  Erie  (opposite  Buffalo),  and 
every  one  conjectured  that  the  ships  that  sailed  had  been 
prevented  by  ice  from  coming  to  land,  for  the  ice  there 
always  breaks  up  later  than  in  Detroit.  From  the  In- 
dian land  we  learn  that  the  Shawanese  and  Cherokees 
have  not  yet  come  to'  peace,  nor  did  they  go  to  the  treaty 
to  which  they  were  asked. 

Saturday,   7.     Yesterday   and   to-day   we   planted   our 
fields  and  got  done  with  them. 
15 


226  zeisberger's  diary. 

Sunday,  8.  Sensemann  preached,  David  held  the  chil- 
dren's service,  and  Edwards  the  congregation  meeting. 
After  a  long  time,  for  during  the  winter  we  hardly  saw  a 
strange  Indian,  Chippewas  came  here  again,  down  the 
creek,  on  their  way  to  Detroit,  remaining  here  over  night. 
The  brethren  entertained  them,  gave  them  food,  and 
spoke  to  them  also  words  of  the  eternal  life. 

Friday,  13.  From  Detroit  we  have  news  that  a  council 
with  the  Chippewas  has  been  held,  and  that  they  have 
been  told  the  Americans  would  take  possession  of  the 
place,  at  which  they  were  very  much  alarmed,  and,  after 
the  end  of  the  council,  prepared  for  war.  What  will  fol- 
low upon  this  we  have  to  wait  for.  Further  we  heard  that 
the  Shawanese  upon  the  Miami  had  moved  away  and  left 
their  former  towns,  when  they  took  council  whether  they 
would  begin  war  or  receive  peace,  that  therefore  the  De- 
troit merchants  called  in  all  their  traders  in  the  Indian 
land.  On  the  other  hand,  our  Indians  have  been  busy 
planting,  they  are  all  striving  to  make  a  good  crop  of  corn 
that  they  may  sell  it  in  the  autumn,  therewith  to  provide 
themselves  with  the  means  of  life  across  the  lake,  and  in 
this  we  have  encouraged  them. 

Sunday,  15.  In  the  first  service  was  to-day's  festi- 
val announced,  of  God,  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  Br.  Hecke- 
welder  preached.  In  the  second  service  two  grown  women 
were  baptized,  one  by  Br.  David,  with  the  name  Mary 
Magdalene,  and  one  by  Br.  Jungmann,  with  the  name 
Helena,  into  the  death  of  Jesus.  In  the  service  for  the 
baptized  we  adored  God,  the  worthy  Holy  Ghost,  and 
asked  absolution  for  our  manifold  faults  and  transgres- 
sions, thanked  him  for  his  care  and  the  trouble  he  had 
taken  for  us,  begged  from  him  obedient  hearts  and  fidelity, 
and  that  he  would  remain  with  us  and  would  further  show 
himself  strong  and  mighty  among  us. 

[Thus  far  to  Bethlehem.] 

Tuesday,  17,  in  the  forenoon,  the  whole  church  had  a 
love-feast  at  the  departure  of  the  brethren,  Sensemann  and 
Jungmann,  with  their  wives,  who,  with  the  two  children, 
Polly  Heckewelder  and  Christian  David  Sensemann,  set 


CLINTON  RIVEK,   1785.  227 

out  for  the  church  in  Bethlehem.  We  blessed  them  with 
our  hearts  and  committed  them  to  the  eye  and  guard  of 
Israel  to  accompany  them  successfully  to  their  destination. 
We  laborers  bound  ourselves  by  the  cup  to  love  and 
hearty  remembrance,  since  the  Saviour  had  helped  us 
through  so  much  ueed.  danger,  and  hardship,  which  makes 
our  thinking  one  of  another  pleasant,  and  excites  and  en- 
courages us  to  praise  and  gratitude  towards  the  Lord. 
Thereupon  these  brethren  started  for  Detroit,  accompa- 
nied by  Br.  Heckewelder  and  some  Indian  brethren,  and 
the  whole  town  stood  on  the  shore,  taking  leave  of  them 
and  seeing  them  depart. 

Saturday,  21.  Heckewelder  came  back  from  Detroit, 
whither  he  had  accompanied  the  brethren.  ISTo  ship  had 
yet  come  from  Fort  Erie,  although  two,  and  the  first  one 
certainly  a  month  before,  had  sailed  hither,  and  no  one 
can  conceive  what  is  the  reason  of  their  remaining  out  so 
long,  yet  it  begins  to  be  thought  they  have  come  to  mis- 
fortune in  a  storm,  but  the  Governor  intended  to  send 
another  in  a  few  days,  if  none  comes  in,  by  which  the 
brethren  will  go.  They  got  free  passage  in  the  cabin,  and 
a  merchant,  our  friend,  will  provide  them  with  what  is 
necessary,  not  only  as  long  as  they  are  in  Detroit,  but  also 
on  the  ship.  We  heard  at  the  same  time  from  the  Indian 
land,  that  among  the  natives  all  appears  well,  and  nothing 
is  to  be  feared  of  a  new  Indian  war;  but  that  the  land 
from  Pittsburg  to  the  Shawanese  towns  was  all  in  the 
hands  of  the  Americans.  The  Wyandots,  before  they 
went  to  the  treaty  in  Pittsburg,  had  taken  counsel  to- 
gether, as  they  usually  do  if  they  go  to  a  treaty,  to  delib- 
erate and  prepare  what  they  wish  to  say  and  to  answer. 
Among  other  things,  also,  they  had  deliberated  about  the 
believing  Indians,  since  they  expected  to  be  asked  about 
them,  why  they  had  treated  them  so  badly,  and  they  had 
resolved  that  before  they  were  put  to  question  about  this, 
they  would  come  forward  and  openly  testify  that  the  Six 
Nations  were  upon  the  point  of  blotting  out  the  Indian 
church  of  believers,  and  since  they,  the  Wyandots,  per- 
ceived this,  they  had  themselves  taken  them  away  from 


228  ,  zeisberger's  diary. 

their  towns  to  save  them  from  destruction,  but  since  now 
again  there  was  peace,  they  wanted  to  put  the  believing 
Indians  back  again  in  their  towns.  The  Americans,  how- 
ever, had  given  them  no  time  to  make  this  speech,  but 
declared  they  would  take  possession  of  all  the  land,  and 
hereupon  the  Wyandots  were  cut  short,  and  could  say 
nothing  about  the  matter. 

Saturday,  21.  "We  were  quite  done  with  planting. 
Our  Indians  have  planted  much  more  than  they  did  last 
year,  and  have  cleared  much  more  land. 

Sunday,  22.  In  the  forenoon  the  sermon  was  from  the 
Epistle  to  the  Romans,  xl.  33:  O  the  depth  of  the  riches 
both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of  God,  and  about 
the  Holy  Trinity,  that  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit  have  stood 
by  and  worked  together  to  bring  about  the  redemption  of 
the  human  race,  wherewith  God,  the  Holy  Ghost,  is  yet 
ever  busy,  bringing  it  to  the  belief  in  Jesus  Christ,  and 
to  convince  it  of  its  unbelief.  Heckewelder  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting. 

"Wednesday,  25.  There  came  here  a  Chippewa  Indian, 
whose  father  is  chief  in  this  neighborhood,  and  both  had 
come  back  from  the  treaty  in  Pittsburg.  He  was  here 
several  days  ago,  and  had  promised  the  Indian  brethren 
to  return  and  tell  them  what  was  done  at  the  treatv,  but 
inasmuch  as  Tucker  told  him  we  did  not  concern  ourselves 
with  such  matters,  he  said  he  had  brought  nothing  with 
him.  However,  he  told  us  a  good  deal,  saying,  among 
other  things,  that  his  father  was  away  among  the  Chip- 
pewas,  to  take  them  the  news,  but  had  told  him  he  should 
come  to  us  and  tell  us  something;  when  the  Americans 
should  be  in  Detroit,  they  would  consider  where  they 
could  show  us  land  to  live  on,  but  this  he  spoke  not 
plainly  about ;  that  a  few  days  before  he  had  had  a  letter 
from  Pittsburg,  in  which  he  was  told  that  in  two  months 
the  Americans  would  be  here.  He  was  a  very  intelligent, 
fine-looking  man,  the  like  of  whom  we  have  not  yet  seen 
among  the  Chippewas.  He  said  it  was  well  we  remained 
yet  a  day  here,  no  peace  was  yet  made  with  all  nations; 
we  should  not  listen  to  what  some  of  their  foolish  people 


CLINTON  RIVER,   1785.  229 

said,  but  quietly  plant  here.  He  went  away  on  the  28th, 
and  we  gave  him  some  corn  for  planting,  of  which  he 
stood  in  need. 

27.     The  Indians  hoed  our  corn. 

Sunday,  29.  Edwards  preached,  David  held  the  chil- 
dren's service,  and  Heckewelder  the  congregation  meeting. 

Tuesdav,  31.  From  the  Fort  we  learn  that  Brs.  Jung:- 
mann  and  Sensemann,  with  their  wives,  sailed  several  days 
ago  from  Detroit  for  Niagara. 

Sunday,  June  5.  Br.  David  preached  from  the  Gospel, 
about  the  great  feast.  The  Lord's  supper  was  announced 
to  the  brethren  for  next  Saturday.  Heckewelder  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  "With  the  assistant  brothers  we 
held  a  conference,  and  considered  about  sending  two  broth- 
ers over  the  lake  to  examine  the  neighborhood  where  we 
wished  to  go,  but  since  we  heard  that  the  Americans  were 
taking  possession  of  all  the  land  between  Pittsburg  and  the 
Shawanese  towns,  we  shall  have  to  give  up  our  plan  of 
going  to  the  Walhonding,  and  must  perhaps  remain  on  a 
creek  flowing  into  the  lake.  "We  are  somewhat  perplexed 
about  this  ;  the  whole  matter  of  our  moving  is  yet  dark, 
for  we  do  not  rightly  know  where  and  how  we  shall  be,  and 
therefore  we  wish  further  news  and  information.  Above 
all,  may  the  Saviour  make  us  a  road  thereto,  open  the  way, 
and  send  us  certainty  in  the  matter,  for  he  gave  us  the 
direction  thereto.  Capt.  McKee,  who  in  our  behalf  sent 
a  message  to  the  nations  and  informed  them  of  our  return 
over  the  lake,  said  to  us  that  they  received  it  well,  but  that 
as  yet  he  had  no  answer  from  them,  and  that  this  was  no 
bad  token.  "We,  however,  think  otherwise.  The  natives 
will  not  indeed  suffer  the  word  of  God  to  be  preached  in 
their  land ;  that  shall  cease,  as  they  have  already  said ; 
therefore  it  will  indeed  be  hard  to  get  an  answer. 

Monday,  6.     Br.  Edwards  held  early  service. 

Tuesday,  7.  David  held  early  service.  He  said,  by  oc- 
casion of  the  Scripture-verse,  that  we,  with  all  our  con- 
cerns, let  them  have  what  name  they  would,  should  go  to 
the  Saviour  and  talk  them  out  with  him,  not  alone  what 
troubled  our  own  hearts,  but  if  things  went  not  well  in  our 


230  zeisberger's  diary. 

families,  we  should  lay  our  house  and  family  affairs  before 
him,  and  commit  them  to  him. 

Wednesday,  8.  Heckewelder  held  the  early  service. 
The  assistants  spoke  with  Luke  and  his  wife,  between 
whom  there  was  a  difference.  They  were  so  fortunate  as 
to  make  peace  between  them,  for  which  they  used  more 
than  three  or  four  hours.  This  sort  of  work  we  are  glad 
to  make  over  to  the  assistants,  who  take  time  for  it  to  hear 
the  brethren  through,  and  this  requires  time,  for  if  we  labor- 
ers wished  to  do  it,  it  would  use  up  all  our  time,  and  we 
should  not  be  in  condition  to  contend  with  all.-  The  as- 
sistants can  also  sooner  tell  them  the  pure  truth  and  bring 
them  to  acknowledgment,  for  if  we  tell  them  of  their  bad 
conduct  and  faults,  they  take  it  very  loftily,  and  often  can- 
not bear  it. 

Thursday,  9,  and  Friday,  10.  There  was  speaking  with 
regard  to  the  Lord's  supper.  We  found  the  brethren  in  a 
blessed  way,  and  saw  with  pleasure  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  in  their  hearts,  and  when  something  had  occurred 
to  disturb  their  love  one  to  another,  the  Saviour  had  given 
grace  that  all  in  love  was  arranged  and  done  away  with. 
There  came  a  couple  of  women,  A.  Johanna  and  a 
single  woman.  Lea,  from  the  head  of  the  Miami,  from 
whom  we  got  news  of  our  Indians  there,  that  they  had 
heard  of  our  moving  over  the  lake,  and  said  we  shonld 
come  to  them.  We  heard  too  that  Helena  and  Benigna 
were  gone  from  time.  The  first  of  these  (Johanna)  is  a 
bad  person,  and  took  away  with  her  one  of  her  children? 
John,  and  Lea  remained  here.     We  had,  thereupon, 

Saturday,  11,  the  Lord's  supper  accompanied  by  his  near 
presence ;  of  which  one  sister,  the  young  Christina,  par- 
took for  the  first  time,  and  Anna  Elizabeth,  who  was  not 
indeed  born  in  the  church,  but  for  the  most  part  had 
grown  up  therein,  saw  it  for  the  first  time,  though  from 
weeping  she  could  see  little.  After  the  Lord's  supper 
many  brethren  came  to  our  house,  as  is  always  usual  at 
such  times,  greeted  and  kissed  the  two  sisters,  rejoiced  and 
showed  their  thankfulness  for  the  Saviour's  grace. 


CLINTON  RIVER,  1785,  231 

Sunday,  12.  The  communion  liturgy  was  read  early. 
Br.  Heckewelder  preached.  Edwards  held  the  congregation 
meeting.  In  the  spring  we  had  already  held  it  needful  to 
send  some  Indian  brethren  across  the  lake  this  summer 
to  inform  themselves  about  the  water-ways  and  rivers,  that 
we  might  know  what  river  or  creek  we  should  have  to 
take  when  we  had  got  over  the  lake,  since  none  of  our 
Indians  was  acquainted  thereabout.  This  matter  we  had 
therefore  repeatedly  considered,  for  it  was  now  time  to  ex- 
ecute it,  and  we  had  also  spoken  with  our  assistants  about 
it,  but  it  always  remained  to  us  somewhat  undetermined, 
and  we  were  in  uncertainty  and  still  in  the  dark  in  regard 
to  our  moving  over  the  lake.  We  have  direction  by  lot 
to  the  Walhonding,  but  we  hear  that  the  States  have 
either  already  taken  possession,  or  are  about  to  do  so,  of 
all  the  land  upon  that  side  except  a  small  stretch  along 
the  lake.  ]^ow  our  thoughts  were  ever  turning  to  the 
head  of  the  Walhonding,  but  should  what  we  hear  be  true, 
we  mnst  be  in  doubt  whether  it  is  advisable  for  us  to 
think  of  settling  there  and  whether  then  we  should  not  do 
better  to  remain  on  a  creek  that  falls  into  the  lake  if  we 
found  a  suitable  place,  and  thus  regard  the  lot,  that  our 
Saviour  only  wished  to  point  out  the  course  we  had  to 
steer.  In  order  to  come  from  our  uncertainty  to  clear- 
ness, we  resolved  to-day  through  the  lot,  with  the  appro- 
bation of  the  Saviour,  that  Br.  Edwards,  with  three  In- 
dian brethren  in  our  behalf,  should  go  not  only  over  the 
lake,  but  also  to  Pittsburg,  to  inform  themselves  there  at 
the  proper  place  of  all  circumstances,  and  in  regard  to 
our  moving  there  to  get  information  and  advice.  This 
direction  of  the  Saviour  was  to  us  in  our  circumstances, 
whereover  for  many  days  we  had  so  much  thought,  prayed, 
and  wept,  a  great  consolation,  and  aroused  our  hearts  to 
praise  and  thank  the  Saviour,  our  only  friend  and  coun- 
sellor. The  lot  read :  The  Saviour  favors  that  Br.  Ed- 
wards with  some  Indian  brethren  shall  in  our  behalf  make 
a  journey  to  Pittsburg. 

Wednesday,  15.      A   Potawatomy   Indian    came   here, 
who  after  the  manner  of  the  Indian  chiefs,  by  a  string  of 


232  zeisberger's  diary. 

wampum,  asked  for  tobacco  and  some  powder,  which  we 
gave  him.  We  heard  that  the  Delawares  and  other  In- 
dians are  going  in  large  numbers  up  the  Miami  (Maumee), 
and  wish  to  live  there.  The  Delawares  and  Shawanese, 
who  no  longer  have  any  land,  are  now  taking  counsel 
whither  they  shall  go. 

Friday,  17.  Br.  Edwards  and  the  Indian  brethren, 
Samuel,  Peter,  and  Jacob,  started  for  Pittsburg,  for  which 
purpose  they  had  made  a  bark  canoe  to  go  over  the  lake 
in,  and  these  are  the  best  to  go  through  the  waves.  "We 
heard  on  the  18th,  by  William,  who  came  back  from  De- 
troit, that  on  that  day  they  had  gone  away  from  there  and 
have  now  probably  come  as  far  as  the  mouth  of  the  Miami. 
We  received  to-day,  before  Br.  Edwards  left,  letters  from 
Brs.  Jungmann  and  Sensemann  that  they  on  the  29th,  but 
in  twice  twenty-four  hours,  had  come  to  Fort  Erie  and  the 
same  day  to  Fort  Slosser.^  They  met  there  Col.  de  Pey- 
ster,  who  promised  to  help  them  on  further,  and  wished 
to  send  them  on  to  Oswego  by  a  ship  that  lay  ready. 

Sunday,  1 9.  Br.  David  preached  and  held  the  children's 
service  in  Indian.  Heckewelder  held  the  cono^reo:ation 
meeting. 

Wednesday,  22.  Several  Indian  brothers  went  to  the 
settlement  to  get  provisions,  for  already  they  have  again 
nothing  more  to  eat.  So  has  it  been  with  them  every 
year  here.  Even  if  they  have  planted  corn  enough,  they 
would  sell  it  during  the  winter  for  a  trifle,  already  in  the 
spring  would  have  nothing,  and  in  the  summer  must  buy 
it  again  dearer,  and  suffer,  as  we  have  an  example  this 
year. 

Friday,  24.  From  Detroit,  whence  our  Indians  came 
back  with  some  provisions,  we  learned  that  a  man  in  De- 
troit had  met  Br.  Edwards,  with  the  three  Indians,  in 
Miami  bay,  where  they  had  fortunately  arrived. 

Saturday,  25.     The  Indians  hilled  our  corn. 


^  "The  transport  of  goods  by  land  to  Fort  Slausser,  two  miles  above 
the  east  side  of  the  falls  "  (of  Niagara).  Heriot's  Travels  through  the 
Canadas,  Chap.  VIII. 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1785.  233 


Sunday,  26.  Heckewelder  preached.  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  jBr.  Schebosh,  who  came  back 
from  Detroit,  learned  there  that  in  regard  to  peace  among 
the  nations  the  prospect  was  still  bad  ;  that  the  Twightwees 
and  Cherokees,  which  last  in  this  war  have  been  driven 
from  their  lands,  and  now  wander  about  among  the  other 
nations,  excite  them  and  are  still  always  going  out  steal- 
ing and  murdering  ;  likewise  that  Pomoacan  has  sent  forty 
men  to  the  Scioto,  where  the  white  people  from  the  States 
have  gone  and  wish  to  settle.  How  this  hangs  together, 
and  what  will  follow  hereupon,  we  must  await. 

Friday,  July  1.  This  week  all  the  brethren  were  busy 
in  the  fields,  and  are  now  for  the  most  part  done  with 
hilling  corn,  which  this  year  again  furnishes  a  fine  pros- 
pect for  a  good  and  rich  harvest.  For  a  time  we  had  very 
hot  weather.  The  insects,  mosquitoes,  ponkjis,  and  horse- 
flies are  worse  and  more  troublesome  than  they  were  last 
year,  so  that  neither  man  nor  beast  can  have  any  pleasure 
in  life,  and  here,  say  the  Indians,  it  is  yet  tolerable,  but 
around  the  lake  they  are  said  to  be  in  such  numbers  that 
it  is  nigh  impossible  to  live,  and  that  these  plagues  of  the 
land  will  ever  cease  there  is  no  hope,  on  account  of  the 
many  great  swamps  and  marshes. 

Sunday,  3.  David  preached  from  the  Epistle  to  the 
Romans,  vi.  3  :  Know  ye  not  that  so  many  of  us  as  were 
baptized  into  Jesus  Christ  were  baptized  into  his  death  ? 
and  afterwards  conducted  the  quarter-hour  of  the  married. 
Heckewelder  held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the 
Scripture-verse. 

Tuesday,  5.  We  heard  through  the  Chippewa,  who 
often  comes  here,  that  something  bad  was  going  on  among 
the  nations ;  that  a  black  belt  had  come  to  the  Chippewas 
from  the  Shawanese,  Twightwees,  Delawares,  etc.,  with  a 
hatchet  concealed  within  ;  that  these  same  and  the  Chero- 
kees had  already  murdered  many  white  people.  One  hears 
such  stories  here  without  knowing  their  foundation  ;  there- 
fore it  is  well  and  needful  that  Br.  Edwards  is  on  his  way 
to  Pittsburg  with  the  Indians,  from  whom,  upon  their  re- 
turn, we  shall  get  trustworthy  news. 


234  ZEISBERQER  S    DIARY. 

Wednesday,  6.  Came  Kaschajem,  and  with  him  Thomas, 
a  boy,  whose  father,  Philip,  was  killed  in  Gnadenhiitten, 
from  Gigegunk,  but  they  had  little  to  say  about  our  In- 
dians in  that  quarter.  Some  of  the  news  we  had  from 
that  quarter  is  true,  that  the  Cherokees  and  Twightweea 
are  going  to  war,  but  not  so  bad  as  we  anticipated. 

Friday,  8.  The  Scheboshes  and  many  besides  went  to 
Detroit  to  seek  corn,  for  many  had  sold  too  much  and 
must  now  buy  it  at  a  higher  price. 

Sunday,  10.  David  preached  and  Heckewelder  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  Few  brethren  were  at  home,  but 
they  came, 

Monday,  11,  for  the  most  part.  We  had  news  that  Br. 
Edwards,  with  the  Indian  brethren,  seventeen  days  be- 
fore, had  arrived  in  Pittsburg,  from  Pettquotting  (Huron 
River,  0.). 

Tuesday,  12.  David  held  the  early  service,  and  there- 
upon the  communion  quarter-hour.  He  announced  to  the 
brethren  the  Lord's  supper  for  next  Saturday. 

Saturday,  16.  After  the  brethren  had  been  spoken  to 
the  day  before,  we  had  to-day  the  holy  communion,  in 
which  a  sister,  A.  Elizabeth,  had  part  for  the  first  time. 

Sunday,  17.  David  read  the  communion  liturgy  and 
held  the  congregation  meeting.     Heckewelder  preached. 

Monday,  18,  and  Tuesday,  19.  We  heard  from  Detroit, 
which  swarms  with  Indians,  that  they  are  very  restless, 
and  have  held  a  war-dance.  We  heard,  at  the  same  time, 
that  an  army  is  expected  in  Detroit,  which  is  already  on 
the  march.^  We  were,  therefore,  concerned  about  our 
brothers,  and  wished  the  Saviour  might  soon  bring  them 
back  home  to  ns.  Moreover,  we  know  not  how  to  account 
for  the  preparations  for  war. 

Wednesday,  20.  We  learned  something  more  exact 
about  the  above-mentioned  circumstances,  namely,  that  an 
army  is  marching  from  Pittsburg  to  the  Shawanese  towns, 
from  there  to  the  Wyandots,  to  make  peace  with  the  na- 
tions, first  to  quiet   them,  and  then  to  come  to  Detroit, 

^  This  was  false. 


CLINTON   KIVER,    1785.  235 

which  was  to  us  the  most  probable.  Meanwhile  our 
Chippewa,  the  chief's  son,  said  to  us  that  the  war-belt  had 
already  gone  to  all  the  nations,  and  that  they  wished  to 
meet  the  Americans.  We  hoped,  however,  that  all  would 
,  yet  be  peacefully  arranged  without  bloodshed.  The  above 
news  a  Wyandot  had  brought  from  Pittsburg,  in  a  letter 
to  them. 

Thursday,  21.     Br.  David  held  early  service,  and, 

Friday,  22,  Br.  Hecke welder.  To-day,  and  for  a  few 
days,  most  of  the  brethren  went  to  the  settlement  to  earn 
the  means  of  life  in  the  harvest  among  the  French. 

Sunday,  24.  David  preached,  few  brethren  were  at 
home. 

Monday,  25.  John,  Luke's  son,  came  from  Sandusky. 
William  and  several  besides,  with  their  families,  went  to 
the  settlement  to  work. 

Saturday,  30.  We  had  the  great  joy  to  see  Br,  Edwards 
with  the  three  Indian  brethren  again  among  us,  in  good 
health  and  with  success.  It  was  a  very  special  joy  also  that 
he  brought  with  him  a  packet  of  letters  for  us  from  Bethle- 
hem, Litiz,  etc.,  which  Mr.  Wilson  had  in  charge  to  for- 
ward to  us,  with  whom  the  brethren  had  lodged,  and  who, 
in  Pittsburg,  took  them  into  his  own  home.  When  they 
went  away  from  us,  and  had  gone  across  the  lake,  they 
landed  at  Pettquotting,  the  other  side  (i.  e.,  east)  of  the 
mouth  of  the  Sandusky,  from  which  place  they  went  by 
land,  by  way  of  Tuscarawas,  to  Pittsburg,  and  they  came 
back  again  by  way  of  Cuyahoga.  On  their  way  back,  on 
the  Tuscarawas  creek,  they  made  a  bark  canoe,  and  went 
up  the  creek  as  far  as  they  could.  Then  they  left  their 
bark  canoe,  and  went  by  land  to  the  Cuyahoga,  where 
they  made  another  bark  canoe  and  went  as  far  as  the 
mouth  of  that  river,  left  their  canoe  and  went  by  land 
along  the  lake  to  Pettquotting,  where  they  had  left  their 
first  canoe,  in  the  hope  of  being  able  to  use  it  on  their 
way  home,  but  since  it  was  warped  by  the  heat  of  the  sun, 
and  quite  useless,  they  were  forced  to  make  a  new  one, 
which  they  did  at  once,  and  for  which  a  Chippewa  Indian 
who  was  there  pointed  out  a  tree,  so  that  they  were  not 


236  ZEISBERaER'S    DIARY. 

compelled  to  seek  a  long  time  for  one ;  from  there  then  in 
two  days  and  two  nights,  they  came  over  the  lake  to  the 
mouth  of  the  river,  or  to  the  straits  below  Detroit,  hut 
they  travelled  day  and  night,  and  were  quite  worn  out* 
Br.  Edwards,  who  had  hurt  his  hip,  came  home  quite 
lame  from  weariness,  and  could  hardly  go  from  the  canoe 
to' his  house  when  they  got  here,  but  he  was  quite  well 
again  after  resting  a  couple  of  days.  As  to  the  business 
for  the  sake  of  which  he  made  the  journey,  in  the  first 
place  this  is  the  main  thing;  we  now  know  certainly  that 
there  is  no  more  Indian  land  across  the  lake,  and  that  the 
States  own  all  the  land,  and  take  possession  of  it ;  that 
they  will  not  altogether  drive  away  the  Indians,  but  yet 
will  not  permit  them  to  live  in  their  neighborhood,  that  is, 
on  the  Muskingum  and  in  that  quarter,  but  they  must  re- 
main at  a  distance.  In  Pittsburg,  also,  he  read  in  a  news- 
paper that  the'  Christian  Indians  have  their  towns  on  the 
Muskingum,  namely,  Gnadenhiitten,  Schonbrunn,  and 
Salem,  confirmed  to  them  by  Congress,  with  so  much  land 
as  the  geographer,  the  surveyor  general,  shall  hold  fit ; 
this  also  we  knew,  in  part,  by  letters  from  Br.  John  and 
Ettwein,  of  May  last,  although  it  had  not  then-  been  con- 
firmed. 

Through  this  news  our  minds  are  now  clear,  and  we  see 
plainly  enough  that  we  shall  not  have  to  look  about  for 
another  place  to  settle  in  than  in  the  country  on  the  Mus- 
kingum. It  would  not  be  well  received  from  us,  and  we 
might  soon  be  driven  away  again  if  we  settled  elsewhere; 
on  the  other  hand,  no  one  can  drive  us  from  our  towns  on 
the  Muskingum,  since  now  we  know  our  way  and  have  it 
before  us.  Br.  Edwards  and  the  brethren  have  no  need  to 
find  out  about  another  way  than  by  Cuyahoga,  though 
they  found  no  creek  or  river  which  goes  from  the  lake  far 
into  the  country  except  the  Cuyahoga.  He  spoke  also 
with  some  people  in  Pittsburg,  who  are  very  willing  to  fur- 
nish provisions  at  a  cheap  rate  if  we  go  over  there  this 
autumn,  whether  we  are  forced  to  winter  on  the  Cuyahoga, 
the  Muskingum,  or  the  Tuscarawas.     They  see  with  pleas- 


CLINTON  RIVER,   1785.  237 

ure   there   that  we  shall   soon  live   in    our   towns   there 
again. 

Sunday,  31.  Br.  David  preached,  Heckewelder  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  Most  of  the  Indians  were  in  the 
settlement. 

"Wednesday,  Aug.  3.  Br.  Heckewelder  went  to  Detroit 
on  business.  Sister  Sara  Heckewelder  has  for  a  week  had 
intermittent  fever  [every  other  day],  which  weakens  her 
very  much.     He  came, 

Friday,  5,  back  from  there,  bringing  a  letter  from  Jung- 
mann  and  Sensemann,  written  June  11,  in  Niagara;  in  this 
they  told  us  they  had  made  arrangements  to  go  in  boats, 
which  had  come  from  Schenectady,  and  were  soon  going 
back  there.  We  hoped  that  by  this  time  already  they  were 
come  to  Bethlehem.  As  regards  peace  among  the  Indians 
it  is  still  uncertain,  and  there  is  nothing  trustworthy  to  be 
judged  about  it.  We  hope  for  the  best.  The  Indians  in 
Michilimackinac  are  said  to  be  much  excited,  and  the 
dwellers  there  fear  a  hostile  inroad  from  them.  Hecke- 
welder brought  news  of  the  Governor's  (Hay)  death.  He 
was  buried  on  the  second  of  this  month. 

Sunday,  7.  Br.  Edwards  preached  and  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  Most  of  the  brethren  who  have 
been  working  at  the  harvest  in  the  settlement  and  earning 
food,  came  home  yesterday  and  to-day. 

Monday,  8.  Heckewelder  held  early  service,  thereupon 
to  communicants  was  announced  the  Lord's  supper  for  Sat- 
urday, the  13th.     Some  brethren  went  whortleberrying. 

Tuesday,  9.  David  held  early  service.  Since  the  Indian 
brethren  were  now  all  at  home,  we  made  known  to  them 
what  Br.  Edwards  and  those  with  him  in  Pittsburg  had 
told  us,  and  how  they  had  found  circumstances ;  also  we 
read  to  them  from  the  letters  from  Bethlehem  thev  had 
brought,  all  of  which  was  pleasant  for  them  to  hear,  es- 
pecially that  Congress  had  given  them  their  three  towns. 

Friday,  12.  Both  to-day  and  yesterday  there  was  speak- 
ing; we  found  the  brethren,  in  spite  of  their  halting  and 
failing,  attached  to  the  Saviour,  and  longing  always  to  be- 
come better. 


238  zeisberger's  diary. 

Saturday,  13.  To  the  brethren  in  the  early  service  and 
also  to  the  communicants  in  the  evening  the  occasion  and 
peculiarity  of  this  day  were  told,  and  we  related  to  them 
what  the  Saviour  had  done  for  his  church  fifty-eight  years 
ago;  the  hearts  of  all  the  brethren  were  purified,  and  they 
bound  themselves  to  abide  bvthe  word  of  Jesus'  death  and 
passion,  and  to  announce  this  both  to  Christians  and 
heathen,  which  he  so  blessed  that  already  many  thousands 
had  received  it,  and  through  belief  in  his  merits  had  found 
forgiveness  of  their  sins  and  everlasting  salvation  and 
blessedness,  whereof  we  also  bear  witness,  and  through 
grace  have  become  members  of  his  church  and  partakers 
of  the  blessing  and  happiness  which  he  has  gained.  We 
asked  for  his  gracious  absolution,  and  then  had  the  holy 
communion. 

Sunday,  14.  Communion  liturgy.  Heckewelder  preached 
Edwards  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  15.     Brethren  whortleberrying. 

Tuesday,  16.  Schebosh  went  with  several  brethren  to 
Detroit,  coming  back  Thursday,  the  18th. 

Friday,  19.     Sara  ISTanticoke  bore  a  daughter,  that  was, 

Sunday,  21,  baptized  with  the  name  Anna  Maria.  Ed- 
wards preached,  David  held  the  children's  service,  and 
Heckewelder  the  congregation  meeting. 

Wednesday,  24.  Joshua  took  a  JSTanticoke  boy,  who  is 
not  quite  right  in  mind  and  had  run  away  here  to  the 
brethren,  back  to  the  settlement,  where  his  friends  are,  but 
the  next  day  back  he  came  again. 

Thursday,  25.  From  the  Miami  came  Christian  Gott- 
lieb with  his  wife  and  child  visiting,  as  also,  Saturday,  27, 
the  cripple,  Thomas,  to  see  and  hear  what  we  have  in  mind 
and  how  w^e  are  disposed.  There  the  past  year  the  stout 
Helena,  the  old  gray-haired  Paulus,  and  Benignus,  and  this 
summer  Anna  Justina,  have  passed  from  time.  In  regard 
to  peace  among  the  nations,  nothing  is  yet  settled.  This 
month  they  hold  a  great  council,  to  which  a  thousand  In- 
dians will  go,  it  is  said,  and  now  we  await  what  shall  then 
be  determined.  Our  Indians  are  yet  considering  what  they 
shall  do.     They  have  heard  that  we  again  move  back  over 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1785.  239 

the  lake  ;  they  keep  themselves  together,  and  if  any  one  of 
them  will  come  to  us,  they  dissuade  him.  Neither  the 
"Wyandots  nor  Delawares  knew  where  to  settle  us  when 
they  got  McKee's  message  about  our  moving  over  the  lake. 

Sunday,  28.     David  preached.     Edwards  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting. 

Tuesday,  30.     By  Thomas,  who  went  back  to  the  Miami, 
we  sent  word  to  all  our  Indians  in  the  Indian  land,  greeted 
them,  and  said  to  them  that  this  autumn  we  should  make 
our  journey  by  way  of  Cuyahoga  to  the  Muskingum  ;  that 
we  invited  them  all  to  unite  themselves  with  us,  either  in 
Cuyahoga,  Tuscarawas,  or  at   Schonbrunn   on  the  Mus- 
kingum.    If  this  autumn  or  winter  they  should  go  hunt- 
ing there,  they  would  meet  us.     He  said  he  believed  this 
news  would  be  pleasant   for  all  to  heiU",  and  that  they 
would  all  like  to  come.     We   laborers  had  already  con- 
ferred together,  for  we  wished  to  tell  our  Indians  some- 
thing certain  and  trustworthy,  and  as  we  again  had  a  lot 
that  we  should   go,  which  is  a  certain  thing,  we  asked 
whether  we  had  yet  any  thing  to  ask  the  Saviour  in  re- 
gard to  our  going  away  this  autumn.     We  got  for  answer 
that  we  had  to  ask   the  Saviour  about  nothing  further. 
We  saw  from  this  that  we  should  have  no  hesitation  to  go 
this  autumn.     What. induced  us  to  make  this  inquiry  was 
this,  that  through  the  summer  we  had   heard  all  sorts  of 
weighty  news  about  the  nations,  on  which  account  we 
were  advised  by  the  Governor  in  the  spring  to  wait  until 
the  times   should  be   better  cleared   up,  and  if  we  took 
every  thing  together,  it  was  not  favorable,  and  the  nations 
were  secretly  going  about  something,  but  now,  as  it  seems, 
this  is  removed,  and  soon  there  will  be  perfect  peace. 

Wednesday,  31.  The  widows,  six  in  number,  had,  on 
their  day  and  festival,  a  service,  blessed  and. accompanied 
by  his  nearness.  The  brethren  were  reminded  to  provide 
themselves  with  canoes,  not  to  be  negligent  by  waiting 
until  the  last  hour,  and  most  of  them  thereupon  went  out 
to  make  some. 

Saturday,  Sept.  3.  By  occasion  of  the  Scripture-verse  : 
He  shall  give  his  angels  charge  over  thee  to  keep  thee  in 


240  zeisberger's  diary. 

all  thy  ways,  the  brethren  were  reminded  of  our  captivity 
four  years  ago  to-day,  and  were  exhorted  to  praise  and 
thank  the  Lord,  who,  through  the  service  of  the  dear 
angels,  had  turned  away  from  us  much  evil,  danger,  and 
hardship;  that  the  brethren,  above  all,  had  to  be  on  their 
guard  not  to  murmur  against  their  Saviour,  if  any  thing 
did  not  go  to  their  liking,  but  to  think  and  believe  that 
what  he  does  and  lets  happen,  that  is  well  done,  and  takes 
a  blessed  end.  Many  brethren  thought  about  this,  and 
said  to  us  how  sad  in  mind  they  then  had  been,  how  their 
hearts  had  been  oppressed — had  thought  all  was  over  with 
them,  and  that  the  church  was  utterly  ruined  and  rooted 
out. 

Sunday,  4.  Heckewelder  preached  ;  Edwards  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  In  the  evening  came  Matthew, 
Cornelius'  son,  from  the  Miami,  from  whom  we  learn  that 
Abel  there,  about  two  weeks  ago,  passed  from  time. 

Monday,  5.  A  party  of  ]!^anticokes  came  here  visiting; 
they  had  come  to  Detroit  lately  from  Magara  out  of  the 
Mingoes'  land,  and  were  on  their  way  to  the  head  of  the 
Miami,  where  now  assemble  Indians  from  all  sorts  of  na- 
tions.    These  were, 

Tuesday,  6,  at  the  early  service,  very  attentive.  During 
the  day  others  came  also,  among  whom  were  some  Mohi- 
cans, so  that  some  forty  Indians  were  here  visiting,  the 
jBrst  visit  of  the  kind  here  on  the  Huron.  We  soon  saw 
that  among  them  were  some  who  had  ears  to  hear,  and 
were  not  indisposed  for  the  kingdom  of  God,  but  we 
thought  at  the  same  time,  if  only  they  were  not  ISTanti- 
cokes.  One  of  them,  Samuel's  own  brother,  told  the 
others  who  had  come  first,  what  he  had  heard  in  the  meet- 
ing, and  what  he  had  retained,  namely:  that  we  had  to 
seek  our  help,  eternal  life,  and  blessedness  from  the  Saviour 
alone,  who  had  gained  and  earned  all  that  through  his 
bitter  passion,  and  through  his  blood  and  death ;  that  he 
was  the  only  true  God,  and  except  him  there  was  none 
besides.  "A  good  deal  more  was  told,"  he  said,  "but  this 
much  I  was  able  to  bring  away." 

Wednesday,  7.     For  the  sake  of  friends  who  wished  to 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1785.  241 

hear,  there  was  a  common  service  early  in  the  morning. 
Afterwards  the  married  brethren  had  their  festival  and 
service  from  their  text,  and  in  the  afternoon  was  a  love- 
feast  for  all  the  inhabitants,  and  in  conclusion  we  brought 
to  our  dear  Lord  our  filial  thanks  for  the  grace  and  blessing 
he  had  given  us  to  enjoy,  through  his  recognition  of  us 
and  his  invaluable  nearness. 

Thursday,  8.  After  the  early  service  most  of  our 
friends  set  out  for  Detroit.  Samuel's  brother  had  spoken 
alone  in  confidence  with  him,  and  told  him  his  thoughts, 
namely :  for  a  year  and  a  half  he  had  the  desire  to  come 
to  the  church,  and  now  he  believed  he  had  the  oppor- 
tunity to  carry  out  his  inclination,  for  his  nation  was 
now  about  to  move  ;  as  yet  he  had  told  no  man,  not  even 
his  nearest  friend,  what  he  thought,  and  wherewith  he 
was  busy ;  he  was  perplexed  about  his  happiness,  to  ob- 
tain this  he  saw  no  desire  or  way  among  the  savages,  but 
he  believed  he  could  attain  it  among  the  believing  In- 
dians; one  thing,  however,  caused  him  perplexity  and 
doubt,  he  was  a  great  sinner,  and  in  this  war  had  shed 
the  blood  of  many  men  ;  when  he  thought  about  this,  it 
was  ever  as  if  some  one  said  to  him,  "  It  is  vain  for  thee 
to  be  concerned  about  this,  thou  canst  not  turn,  thou  hast 
too  many  sins  lying  upon  thee,  give  up  the  thought ;"  he 
had  therefore  determined,  since  he  was  come  to  Detroit, 
to  visit  the  believing  Indians  and  to  find  out  whether  it 
were  possible  for  him  to  find  mercy  from  the  Saviour, 
and  whether  among  the  believing  Indians  there  was  one 
who  had  been  so  great  a  sinner  as  he,  and  if  this  were  so, 
he  could  think  there  was  yet  hope  for  him.  Samuel 
showed  him  then  the  way  to  salvation,  and  told  him  no 
one  was  so  great  a  sinner,  nor  so  corrupted,  as  not  to  find 
mercy  and  forgiveness  from  the  Saviour,  who  had  shed 
his  blood  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world.  He  spoke  yet 
farther,  telling  Samuel  how  he  had  thought  of  arranging 
matters  to  get  away  from  his  chiefs,  who  if  they  suspected 
this  of  him,  would  watch  and  guard  him  carefully  lest  he 
should  get  out  of  their  hands;  ten  of  them  were  his 
16 


242  zeisberger's  diary. 

friends  of  whom  he  believed  they  would  be  of  his  mind 
should  he  tell  them  his  purpose.  Thus  must  most  In- 
dians steal  away,  if  they  wish  to  come  to  us. 

Saturday,  10.  Wischnasch  came  from  Sandusky  to 
visit  us,  from  whom  we  learned  that  it  is  still  doubtful 
whether  peace  will  be  made  among  the  nations. 

Sunday,  11.  David  preached.  At  break  of  day  Hecke- 
welder  set  out  for  Detroit  taking  letters  with  him  for 
Bethlehem.  Two  Frenchmen  were  present  at  the  sermon, 
and  also  several  strange  Indians. 

Monday,  12.  From  Detroit  Heckewelder  did  not  bring 
us  very  favorable  news  about  moving  awa}""  for  the  pres- 
ent, for  the  Indian  land  seems  very  restless  and  confused, 
and  the  Indians  in  all  quarters  are  arming  for  a  new  war, 
for  which  the  nations  are  already  quite  unanimous.  This 
is  the  common  talk  in  Detroit,  and  every  one  advises  us 
against  going  over  the  lake  in  such  existing,  unsettled  cir- 
cumstances. It  is  said  a  treaty  will  be  held  with  the 
nations  at  the  mouth  of  the  Miami  of  the  Ohio,  but  it  is 
said  they  will  come  there  in  arms,  and  that,  therefore,  we 
shall  soon  hear  something  exciting  from  that  quarter. 
We  have  also  heard  that  if  we  went  over  the  lake  now, 
the  Indians  would  again  make  us  prisoners,  and  take  us 
where  they  wished  in  the  Indian  land,  that  they  will  not 
permit  us  to  go  to  the  Muskingum.  If  an  Indian  war 
should  break  out,  it  would  not  be  advisable  for  us  to  break 
up  here,  and  certainly  we  should  have  something  to  fear. 
They  state  that  if  we  go  over  the  lake,  they  have  orders 
from  M(cKee)  to  take  us  prisoners  and  hold  us  fast.  The 
Indians,  also,  who  come  here,  dissuade  us  from  moving 
away,  should  there  be  war.  The  nations  wish  to  fight  for 
their  land  and  hold  it,  but  we  hope  that  this  unrest  will 
be  quieted,  although  it  might  be  too  late  for  us  this 
autumn. 

Tuesday,  13.  By  the  Indian,  Gabriel,  who  came  from 
the  Miami,  we  had  a  letter  by  way  of  Pittsburg,  which  he 
got  in  Detroit,  from  Br.  Ettwein  in  Bethlehem,  of  June 
15th.  From  this  we  see  that  they  then  knew  nothing  of 
Brs.  Jungmann  and  Sensemann  and  their  wives,  but  of 


CLINTON  RIVER,   1785.  243 

them  we  have  news  through  Cassidy^  that  on  the  25th  of 
June  they  were  yet  a  day's  journey  from  Schenectady,  and 
had  lodged  with  him  on  the  Mohawk  River. 

Friday,  16.  There  came  a  whole  party  of  Nanticokes, 
Mohicans,  and  Monseys,  visiting,  who  all  wanted  to  go  to 
the  Miami.  This  week  we  began  to  harvest  our  corn, 
which  is  this  year  ripe  much  later  than  it  was  last,  prob- 
ably on  account  of  the  drouth  this  summer,  for  the  whole 
summer  through  we  had  not  one  good  rain,  and  only  two 
or  three  little  thunder-showers. 

Sunday,  18.  Heckewelder  gave  the  sermon,  at  which 
all  our  strangers  were  present.  Thereafter  was  the  com- 
munion quarter-hour,  and  Edwards  held  the  congregation 
meeting.  To  these  strangers,  here  visiting,  the  Indian 
brethren  praised  the  salvation  the  Saviour  has  won  for  us 
by  his  blood  and  death.  Among  others  was  a  Mohican, 
who  begged  the  brethren  to  speak  to  him  about  the 
Saviour,  and  then  he  came  to  Abraham,  who,  with  Br. 
Samuel,  discoursed  to  him  with  great  earnestness,  and  not 
without  effect,  for  he  was  much  convinced  of  the  truth, 
but  before  they  were  done  a  ISTanticoke  came  as  messenger 
from  Detroit,  to  call  away  his  people,  and  brought  bad 
news  from  there,  that  the  nations  over  the  lake  had  all  de- 
clared war  against  the  Americans,  which  should  last  thirty 
years.  At  the  same  time  we  got  a  message  from  an  In- 
dian from  the  Miami  and  the  Shawanese  towns,  they  hav- 
ing heard  that  this  autumn  we  wanted  to  go  back  over  the 
lake ;  he  sent  word  to  us  to  remain  here  still  and  to  wait, 
for  there  was  now  no  peace,  and  it  was  not  advisable  for 
us  to  go  there,  and  if  yet  we  did  so,  they  were  determined 
to  get  us  all  together,  to  hold  us  fast,  and  to  bring  us  to 
the  head  of  the  Miami ;  for  the  present,  we  should  stay 
here  and  remain  until  perfect  peace  should  be  made.  We 
heard,  also,  that  the  nations  intend  to  begin  hostilities  at 
this  treaty,  which  is  to  take  place  this  autumn  in  that 
neighborhood.     They  have  much  to  say,  and  make  boasts, 


^  Perhaps  this  is  the  man  called  Cassedy  on  p.  136. 


244  zeisberger's  diary. 

as  is  their  custom,  but  the  Lord  can  soon  bring  tbeir  plans 
to  nought. 

Monday,  19.  Immediately  after  the  early  service  the 
strangers  all  went  away  to  Detroit,  and  now  their  heads 
were  full  of  war,  and  they  forgot  again  the  good  they  had 
heard.  Thus  does  Satan  to  many  inquirers,  that  they 
may  not  hear  God's  word,  but  be  held  in  uncertainty  and 
blindness. 

Saturday,  24.  The  brethren  had  lately  been  spoken 
with,  and  we  enjoyed  his  body  and  blood  in  the  holy 
sacrament.  This  week  besides  we  have  made  a  good  be- 
ginning with  our  harvest  [see  16th],  and  on  Thursday,  22d 
Sept.,  we  had  this  year  the  first  little  frost,  thus  three 
weeks  later  than  last  year. 

Sunday,  25.  After  the  communion  liturgy  Br.  Ed- 
wards preached  and  Heckewelder  hekl  the  congregation 
meeting. 

Monday,  26.  Br.  David  held  early  service.  To-day 
many  brethren  went  to  the  salt-springs  to  boil  salt,  not  far 
by  water,  and  by  land  only  some  seven  miles. 

Thursday,  29.  After  the  early  service,  in  which,  like- 
wise, mention  was  made  of  the  protection  and  [manifold 
oversight  of  the  Saviour  for  us  through  the  service  of 
the  dear  angels,  we  experienced  thej^same  in  an  extraor- 
dinary way.  A  musket  went  off  in  a  boy's  hands,  and 
the  ball  went  under  the  arm  of  another  boy  who  stood 
in  front  of  the  first,  but  only  grazed  him,  so  that  the. 
fright  was  greater  than  the  harm.  i  The  boy  who  was  hit 
screamed  so  that  everybody  thought  he  must  be  mortally 
wounded. 

Our  Chippewa,  who  often  comes  here,  when  he  came 
to-day,  asked  an  Indian  brother  whether  we  still  thought 
of  going  away  this  autumn,  and  when  he  got  no  for  an  an- 
swer, for  the  Indians  had  told  us  not  to  go  away,  there 
being  yet  no  peace,  and  that  we  should  do  best  to  stay 
here,  the  Chippewa  replied :  "  I  knew  that  very  well, 
and  therefore  I  told  you  it  was  good  you  should  stay  here 
a  day  longer.  The  Indians,  however,"  he  said  farther, 
"are  not  the  cause,  they  would  not  stand  in  your  way,  but 


CLIIS'TON   RIVER,    1785.  245 

the  blame  is  Mr.  McKee's,  who,  in  council  in  Detroit,  has 
made  you  over  to  the  Shawanese,  and  told  them  he  did  not 
like  to  see  us  going  again  to  our  towns.  If  then  they 
saw  us  going  over  the  lake,  they  should  take  us,  turn  us 
about,  and  bring  us  into  the  Indian  land,  wherever  they 
saw  fit.  The  Shawanese  wished  to  give  us  over  to  the 
Wyandots,  who  live  near  Detroit,  and  told  them  they  wgre 
near  at  hand,  and  if  they  saw  us  going  by,  they  could  stop 
us,  and  show  us  another  way,  but  they  refused,  and  would 
have  nothing  to  do  with  it."  The  Chippewa  said  he  had 
heard  this  with  his  own  ears,  and  been  present  at  the 
negotiation.  We  had  already,  at  different  times,  and  from 
different  Indians  of  all  sorts  of  nations,  heard  the  same 
thing,  had  also  spoken  with  McKee  about  it,  but  he  dis- 
claimed and  denied  it,,  and  assured  us  of  his  friendship,  but 
now  we  see  it  is  true,  and  he  continues,  behind  our  backs, 
secretly  to  stir  up  the  Indians  against  us,  as  he  has  been 
the  head-leader  of  all  the  Indian  hostilities  against  us.  If 
this  is  so,  how  is  it  advisable  and  possible  for  us  to  go 
away?  We  are  given  over  to  the  Indians,  that  they  may 
again  plunder  us  and  treat  us  according  to  their  will, 
for  this  would  not  remain  undone  since  the  power  is  given 
them  so  to  do.  We  cannot  believe  that  the  Indians  could 
so  have  thought  out  all  these  lies,  and  that  every  thing  is 
unfounded.  We  must,  therefore,  yet  delay  and  wait  for 
better  times.  It  is  as  if  Satan  sought  to  hem  in  our  way 
over  the  lake,  and  as  if  it  pleased  him  not  that  we  should 
again  go  there.  We  have  further  heard  that  he  is  re- 
ported to  have  said  that  if  the  Wyandots  had  known  that 
Br.  Edwards  was  going  to  Pittsburg  they  would  have 
killed  him.  This  also  he  denied.  As  soon  as  Br.  Ed- 
wards started,  however,  he  let  the  Wyandots  know,  and 
gave  them  a  hint  they  could  do  something  if  they  wished, 
and  Samuel  heard  this  on  this  journey. 

Saturday,  Oct.  1.  The  brethren  came  home  from  the 
salt-lick,  having  boiled  a  good  lot  of  excellent  salt,  which 
is  just  the  thing  for  them,  salt  being  here  a  scarce  thing. 

Sunday,  2.  David  preached.  Edwards  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting. 


246  zeisberger's  diary. 

Saturday,  8.  This  week  all  the  brethren  were  "busy 
harvesting  their  fields.  In  spite  of  a  very  dry  summer  we 
have  a  moderate  and  yet  quite  good  harvest,  though  not 
so  good  as  it  would  have  been  if  it  had  rained  more,  but 
we  are  thankful  for  it.  This  week  Ignatius,  Renatus,  and 
John  went  over  Lake  Erie  hunting.  Some  went  out  salt- 
boiling.     By  land  it  is  only  six  or  seven  miles. 

Sunday,  9.  Heckewelder  preached,  and  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  The  (chapel)  servant's  ofloice  was 
again  given  to  Luke  and  A.  Charity.  They  had  already 
served  in  Schonbrunn. 

Monday,  10.  Several  began  making  canoes,  therewith 
to  earn  clothing  for  the  winter,  instead  of  hunting.  The 
sisters  were  at  home,  industriously  harvesting,  with  which 
this  week  they  will  for  the  most  part  be  done,  and  have 
had  on  the  whole  a  very  good  harvest,  so  that  they  have 
all  wherewith  to  live. 

Friday,  14,  was  the  burial  of  the  little  child  who  died 
yesterday,  A.  Maria,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sara  ISTan- 
ticoke,  two  months  old,  less  six  days.  Last  night,  as  also 
two  days  ago  at  night,  we  had  hard  thunder-storms,  one 
after  the  other,  till  morning,  and  in  our  grave-yard  a  tree 
was  struck  and  torn  to  splinters.  The  autumn  this  year 
is  unusually  warm,  like  summer,  and  thus  far  we  have 
had  only  a  light  frost,  but  much  stormy  weather. 

Sunday,  16.  David  preached,  and  Edwards  held  the 
congregation  meeting. 

Thursday,  20.  Yesterday  Peter,  with  two  others,  went 
to  Sandusky  to  get  our  bell,  there  buried,  but  to-day  we 
had  news  from  Detroit  that  the  Wyandots  had  killed  the 
traders  in  the  Tuscarawas  and  seized  all  their  goods.  We 
heard  at  the  same  time  that  the  Americans  had  come  al- 
ready to  the  Shawanese  towns,  and  that  another  party  was 
on  its  way  to  Lower  Sandusky.  Since  now  the  country 
seems  so  restless,  we  sent  an  express  to  call  back  Peter 
and  his  company,  that  they  might  not  come  to  trouble,  for 
in  these  troublous  circumstances  it  is  no  time  to  go  there. 
The  States,  as  we  hear,  offer  the  nations  both  peace  and 
war,  to  choose  which  they  will. 


CLINTON   RIVER,   1785.  247 

Sunday,  23.  Early  in  the  morning  Samuel  and  Adam 
came  from  the  Fort,  and  confirmed  the  above  news. 
Edwards  preached  about  the  king's  reckoning  with  his 
servants,  and  David  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Wednesday,  26.  Some  brethren  came  back  from  De- 
troit, McKee  asked  Joshua,  who  came  from  there, 
whether  we  should  go  over  the  lake  this  autumn.  He 
answered  no,  that  we  had  heard  from  the  Shawanese,  Mo- 
hicans, Delawares,  not  to  go,  but  to  stay  here,  as  there 
was  yet  no  peace.  All,  however,  agreed  in  this,  that  he, 
McKee,  would  not  have  us  go  to  our  towns,  and  had  said 
to  the  Indians  that  if  we  went,  they  should  lay  hands  on 
us  and  bring  us  another  way.  The  Chippewas  had  also 
told  us  this,  and  since  all  nations. spoke  in  the  same  tone, 
it  must  indeed  be  true.  InTouc  of  us  white  brethren  could 
well  tell  him  this  without  incurring  danger,  but  he  must 
have  heard  it  from  an  Indian,  for  they  can  tell  him  what 
they  wish  and  think,  but  he  denied  every  thing,  saying 
the  Indians  told  horrible  lies.  We  see  that  we  have  a  se- 
cret foe  in  him.  The  Governor,  who  was  our  friend,  is 
dead,  and  there  is  then  almost  no  authority  that  regards 
right.  He  can  do  what  he  will,  without  giving  account 
to  any  one.  The  way  is  closed  to  us.  How  is  it  possible 
for  us  to  go  away  from  here  ?  We  shall  always  be  held  in 
captivity.  Yet  if  men  close  the  Avay,  Jesus  opens  it  with 
might ;  herewith  must  we  console  ourselves. 

Thursday,  27.  Br.  Edwards  went  to  Detroit  on  busi- 
ness, from  which  place  came, 

Saturday,  29,  Peter,  by  whom  we  heard  it  had  been  very 
stormy  on  the  lake,  and  that  Br.  Edwards  did  not  get  out 
of  the  river  until  this  morning. 

Sunday,  30.  David  preached  and  Heckewelder  held  the 
congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  31.  Abraham,  Samuel,  and  several  others  went 
to  Detroit  to  sell  canoes ;  others  went  out  hunting,  so  that 
few  remain  here. 

Wednesday,  Nov.  2.  Edwards  returned  from  Detroit. 
He  had  a  good  and  successful  journey,  considering  the 
stormy  weather  of  this  time  of  year. 


248  zeisberger's  diary. 

Sunday,  6.  Edwards  preached,  Througb  Samuel,  who 
came  from  Detroit,  by  way  of  Pittsburg,  by  the  kindness 
of  Mr.  Wilson,  we  had  letters  from  Br.  Ettwein,  one  from 
Br.  Reichel  from  Europe,  and  others,  to  our  heartfelt  joy. 
In  the  afternoon  was  the  communion  quarter-hour,  and 
the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture- verse :  O 
Lord,  how  great  are  thy  works,  and  thy  thoughts  are  very 
deep. 

Monday,  7.  A  trader's  wife,  Sally  Hans,  came  here  to 
sell  goods,  and  stayed  until  the  10th.  She  took  in  from 
the  brethren  seventy  bushels  of  corn  for  goods.  She  spoke 
with  Samuel  about  her  land  on  the  east  side  of  St.  Clair, 
whereof  she  would  be  glad  to  give  us  a  strip. 

Thursday,  10  and  Friday,  11.  We  spoke  in  regard  to 
the  Lord's  supper.  We  found  the  brethren,  to  our  joy  and 
thankfulness  to  the  Saviour,  in  a  blessed  way,  walking 
with  him.     The  brethren  repaired  our  meeting-house. 

Saturday,  12.  We  had  a  gracious  communion,  blessed 
by  his  dear  presence.  Jacob  was  present,  partaking  for 
the  first  time.  The  Saviour  gives  us  especial  joy  in  our 
young  people,  so  that  five  are  now  communion  brothers, 
one  after  the  other,  and  a  joy  to  us. 

Sunday,  13.  We  asked  from  our  dear  Lord,  the  Elder 
of  his  churches,  gracious  absolution  for  our  faults,  trans- 
gressions, and  shortcomings,  adored  him  anew  with  our 
whole  heart,  and  begged  him  farther,  as  a  true  shepherd 
and  head,  to  make  himself  known  to  us,  to  show  himself 
to  us,  to  interest  himself  in  us,  inwardly  and  outwardly, 
and  to  help  us,  that  his  will  may  be  done  on  earth  as  in 
heaven ;  during  this  tears  spoke  more  than  the  mouth.  He 
made  himself  known  to  us,  and  was  evidently  among  us. 
Li  the  evening  Br.  Edwards  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  14.  By  Br.  Heckewelder,  who  went  to  Detroit, 
we  wrote,  by  way  of  Pittsburg  to  Bethlehem.  [These  let- 
ters did  not  go  through.]  We  had  reason  for  doubting 
about  these  letters  getting  through,  since  we  had  very  bad 
news  from  over  the  lake,  namely,  that  between  Pittsburg 
and  Cuyahoga  six  traders  had  been  killed  and  robbed,  so 


CLINTON  RIVER,   1785.  249 

that  the  passage  is  inevitably  stopped.     Ah,  may  the  Sa- 
viour soon  send  us  his  noble  peace ! 

Tuesday,  15.  Most  of  the  brethren  went  hunting,  Br. 
Schebosh  and  some  others  went  to  Detroit ;  a  few  remain 
at  home. 

Wednesday,  16.  Heckewelder  returned  from  Detroit. 
The  above  news  that  traders  have  been  killed  is  false,  and, 
as  we  hear,  things  are  not  so  bad  in  the  Indian  land  as  we 
have  heard,  but  the  trouble  is,  the  Mingoes  and  Cherokees 
are  making  a  plot.  It  is  said  the  Indians  are  not  hostilely 
disposed  towards  whites,  but  only  towards  Kentuckians. 
There  is  something  in  this  whole  matter  which  we  cannot 
well  make  out.  Traders  go  into  the  Indian  land  from  De- 
troit as  many  as  will,  and  nothing  hinders  them,  but  we 
dare  not,  we  are  not  permitted  to  go  away,  and  we  must 
still  have  patience. 

Saturday,  19.  Three  days  ago  the  first  cold  weather 
came  ;  up  to  that  time  we  had  a  very  fine,  warm,  dry, 
pleasant  autumn;  but  the  Detroit  people  prophesy  a  hard 
winter  and  deep  snow. 

Sunday,  20.  Br.  Edwards  preached,  and  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse  : 

AVednesday,  23.  Schebosh  and  A.  Johanna,  who  went 
to  Detroit  a  week  ago,  came  back,  having  been  much  de- 
layed by  stormy  weather.  In  Detroit  there  is  much  talk 
about  a  new  war,  and  many  would  like  to  see  it.  Be  this 
as  it  may,  we  see  that  it  is  better  to  be  here  than  to  be 
again  in  danger  of  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  savages  ; 
for  this  they  have  long  been  encouraged,  and  we  are  given 
over  to  them  if  we  cross  the  lake.  Upon  what  grounds 
we  are  held  here  like  prisoners  we  know  not. 

Thursday,  24.  We  got  the  first  lasting  snow,  which  was 
just  the  thing  for  our  hunters  ;  thus  far  we  have  had  a  very 
dry  autumn. 

Sunday,  27.  Heckewelder  preached  the  advent  sermon 
about  the  coming  of  our  Lord  into  the  flesh,  and  Edwards 
held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  28.  Most  of  the  brethren  went  hunting,  and 
the  sisters  at  home  provided  themselves  with  wood. 


250  zeisberger's  diary. 

"Wednesday,  30.  By  the  Scripture-verse:  Lord,  thou 
hast  been  favorable  unto  thy  land  ;  thou  hast  brought  back 
the  captivity  of  Jacob,  the  brethren  were  reminded  that 
we  have  experienced  similar  circumstances,  which  are  not 
yet  quite  passed,  and  have  reason  to  recommend  ourselves 
anew  to  him,  to  remind  him  that  in  former  times  he  has 
done  much  for  us,  and  has  shown  us  compassion,  and  to 
entreat  him  to  do  yet  more  and  more,  that  we  may  not 
lose  hope  and  confidence  in  him. 

Saturday,  Dec.  3.  Many  of  the  brethren  came  home, 
and  for  the  most  part  had  all  shot  something,  so  that  they 
have  meat  and  shoes,  which  last  is  a  prime  article,  for  un- 
til now  they  have  had  to  buy  skins  for  shoes  in  Detroit. 

Sunday,  4.  David  preached  about  the  Saviour  of  the 
heathen,  who  is  come  to  fulfil  the  prophecies  given  to  the 
heathen  by  the  prophets.  Edwards  held  the  congregation 
meeting  Yesterday  and  the  day  before  the  snow  fell  a 
foot. deep,  and  last  night  came  on  a  thaw  with  rain,  so 
that  the  snow  almost  all  went  off". 

Monday,  5.  The  brethren  got  in  wood  for  us,  for  we 
have  no  horses. 

Tuesday,  6.  Most  of  the  brethren  went  off"  bear-hunt- 
ing, and  Brs.  David  and  Edwards  to  build  a  sugar-hut, 
the  weather  was  so  good. 

Wednesday,  7.  Samuel  and  Adam  to  the  Fort,  whence 
the  latter  came  back  on  the  9th,  bringing  news  that 
in  the  settlement  and  in  Detroit  bad  sicknesses  and  the 
small-pox  prevailed  from  which  many  died.  People  in 
Detroit,  who  wish  us  well,  wrote  to  us  we  should  let  as 
few  of  our  Indians  as  possible  go  there,  that  the  pest 
might  not  be  brought  to  our  town.  The  English  people 
in  Detroit  at  last  begin  to  become  pious,  and  believe  the 
sickness  is  a  punishment  from  God.  They  came  together 
in  the  Council  House,  and  had  something  read  to  them 
and  are  thinking  about  a  church  and  a  preacher. 

Sunday,  11.  Instead  of  the  sermon  Br.  David  read  to 
the  brethren  something  from  the  Gospel.  This  week  there 
was  rain  and  a  thaw.     The  snow  went  off  and  the  ground 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1785.  251 

was  quite  bare.     Edwards  held  the  congregation  meeting, 
and  Joshua  translated  for  the  first  time. 

Monday,  12.  David  held  early  service.  Samuel  came 
back  from  Detroit,  bringing  news  that  a  couple  of  strange 
Indians,  who  had  bought  something  in  the  town  and  of 
whom  no  one  knew  whence  or  of  what  nation  they  were, 
for  they  spoke  not  a  word,  killed  two  merchants  below 
the  town  when  they  went  away.  "What  will  come  from 
this,  or  what  it  means,  time  will  show,  but  this  circum- 
stance caused  much  alarm  and  fright  among  the  people. 

Thursday,  15.  Most  of  the  brethren  came  back  from 
hunting.  This  year  they  have  made  something  by  it,  at 
least  that  they  have  meat  to  eat  and  skins  for  shoes,  for 
last  year  they  never  once  got  so  much. 

Saturday,  17.  Since  the  weather  was  very  fine,  and  for 
this  time  of  year  warm,  the  sisters  were  away  generally 
this  week,  and  made  some  sugar.  The  ground  was  clear 
of  snow,  and  the  weather  extraordinarily  fine. 

Sunday,  18.  Br.  David  preached  about  the  joy  of  be- 
lievers in  the  Lord,  who  was  clad  in  our  poor  fiesh  and 
blood,  and  has  reconciled  us  to  God  through  his  sufficient 
sacrifice,  and  has  brought  us  the  peace  of  being  in  God's 
mercy.  To  the  communion  brethren  the  Lord's  supper 
was  announced  for  next  Saturday,  and  they  were  invited 
thereto  as  thirsty  souls.  Heckewelder  held  the  congrega- 
tion meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse. 

Monday,  19.  Some  brethren  went  to  lay  out  and  make 
a  new  and  straight  road  to  Detroit. 

Tuesday,  20.     It  rained  all  day. 

Friday,  23.  From  Detroit  we  got  the  cheerful  news 
that  the  last  treaty  with  the  Indian  nations  on  the  Ka- 
nawha^ had  been  well  and  good  for  the  benefit  of  the 
country,  so  that  there  is  good  hope  of  a  lasting  peace 
with  the  nations.     This   news  was  of  importance  to   us, 

^Zeisberger  probably  refers  to  the  treaty  made  with  the  Indians  early 
in  1785  at  Fort  Mcintosh  (Beaver),  Pa.  This  treaty,  and  the  act  of 
Congress  in  pursuance  thereof,  wherein  provision  is  made  for  the 
Moravian  Indians,  can  be  found  in  Albach's  Western  Annals,  pp.  433- 
488. 


252  zeisberger's  diary. 

for  we  now  could  hope  that  this  circumstance  would  build 
us  a  way  over  the  lake,  which  till  now  has  been  closed 
to  us. 

Saturday,  24.  Christmas  we  began  with  a  love-feast, 
rejoiced  in  the  birth  of  our  Saviour,  who  for  love  of  us, 
poor  and  wretched  beings,  clad  himself  in  our  poor  flesh 
and  blood,  thanked  him  for  his  blessed  incarnation,  suf- 
ferings, and  death,  whereby  he  hath  brought  us  eternal 
redemption,  and  adored  him  upon  our  knees.  Thereupon 
the  communicants  enjoyed  his  body  and  blood  in  his  holy 
supper  with  comforted  and  joyous  hearts. 

Sunday,  25.  After  the  communion  liturgy,  the  sermon 
which  Br.  Edwards  preached,  was  about  the  announcement 
of  the  angels  to  the  shepherds :  Behold,  I  bring  you  good 
tidings  of  great  joy.  Then  the  children  in  their  service 
showed  their  joy  over  the  little  Child  in  the  manger,  sang 
to  him  with  joyful  hearts,  and  brought  to  him  their  child- 
ish thanks  for  his  birth  and  incarnation.  To  a  poor  Shaw- 
anese  familv  in  our  neighborhood  our  brethren  s^ave  some- 
what  for  their  necessity,  each  one  contributing,  for  which 
they  were  thankful  and  glad. 

Tuesday,  27.  Learning  that  Mr.  Duncan,  of  Pittsburg, 
was  in  Detroit,  we  sent  to  him  Br.  Schebosh  with  a  let- 
ter, and  also  to  converse  with  him ;  he  came  back  Thurs- 
day the  29th,  bringing  us  a  letter  from  him  also,  and 
a  letter  from  Br.  John  Jungmann  from  Pittsburgh,  from 
both  which  we  perceived  that  things  for  us  were  come 
there,  but  that  we  could  not  get  them  this  winter.  What 
made  us  feel  worst  was  that  he  had  forgotten  in  Pittsburg 
a  packet  of  letters  he  intended  bringing  us,  and  now  we 
know  not  after  how  long  a  time  Ave  shall  get  them.  We 
heard  at  the  same  time  that  two  days  ago  two  whites 
had  been  murdered,  and  that  the  Chippewas  had  done 
both  these  and  the  former  murders. 

31.  Towards  midnight  we  assembled  for  the  end  of  the 
year,  thanked  our  dear  Lord  for  all  the  kindness,  good- 
ness, and  mercy  we  had  enjoyed  from  him,  that  he  had 
cared  for  us,  soul  and  body,  and  had  given  us  the  grace 
that  our  hearts  could  daily  feed  on  the  word  of  his  atone- 


CLINTON   RIVER,    1785.  253 

ment  and  passion,  and  we  begged  him  to  grant  us  this 
again,  and  to  send  us  such  hearts  that  we  should  ever 
hunger  and  thirst  more  and  more  for  this  ;  that  he  in  out- 
ward matters  had  blessed  the  work  of  our  hands,  and  had 
lent  us  a  good  harvest,  so  that  we  might  not  starve  nor 
complain  of  want ;  that  he  had  let  us,  who  are  only  stran- 
gers among  strange  people,  enjoy  peace  and  quiet,  has 
been  with  us,  and  has  shown  himself  among  us  a  gracious, 
loving  Saviour  ;  that  the  Indians  among  whom  we  live  and 
to  whom  we  are  strangers,  have  put  nothing  in  our  way, 
much  less  molested  us.  We  asked  his  forgiveness  of  all 
our  faults,  failings,  and  shortcomings  when  we  have  lagged 
behind  and  could  have  done  better,  whereupon  we  held 
comfort  and  assurance  from  him  through  his  Holy  Spirit, 
and  entered  then  joyfully  upon  the  new  year. 

There  were  baptized  this  year  two  adult  women  and  two 
girls ;  to  the  communion  were  admitted  two  brothers  and 
two  sisters;  one  has  died  here,  a  child,  A.  Maria,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Sara  IlTanticoke;  the  inhabitants  here 
on  the  Huron  River  are  117  Indian  souls. 


254  zeisberger's  diary. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

1786. 

Cli.s'ton  Eiver,  Michigan- — Voyage  over  Lake  Erie — On  the  Cuyahoga. 

Sunday,  Jan.  1.  Heckewelder  preached  about  the  name 
of  Jesus  as  our  Saviour.  In  the  service  for  all  the  bap- 
tized brethren,  we  gave  ourselves  anew  to  be  entirely  his 
own,  in  all  our  faults  and  failings  to  hold  fast  by  him,  and 
not  to  leave  him.  We  promised  him  with  hand  and  mouth 
that  nothing  should  separate  us  from  him,  nor  tribulation, 
nor  danger,  nor  fear,  nor  fright  till  we  saw  him  face  to  face. 
For  our  daily  Scripture-verses  we  took  in  use  last  year's, 
and  in  the  evening  Br.  Edwards  held  the  congregation 
meeting  from  the  first  Scripture-verse  :  Cause  me  to  know 
the  way  wherein  I  should  walk  :  for  I  lift  up  my  soul  unto 
thee.  Lead  us  in  accordance  with  thy  grace  and  the  Gos- 
pel. 

Monday,  2.  By  Samuel,  we  sent  letters  for  Bethlehem 
to  Mr.  Duncan,  in  Detroit,  to  forward.  This  occasion  was 
one  much  wished  for,  and  we  were  glad  of  it,  for  here 
people  are  few  to  whom  letters  can  be  intrusted.  We 
heard  from  Tucker  that  the  Chippewa  chief  sent  us  word 
that  he  would  come  here  soon  after  I^Tew  Year's  day,  and 
had  something  to  say  to  as.  Of  this  we  were  glad,  for  we 
had  long  wished  an  opportunity  to  speak  to  him  or  them. 

Friday,  6.  Early  at  morning  prayer  was  snug  for 
the  first  time  in  Indian :  Peace  be  to  this  congrega- 
tion— Peace  to  every  soul  therein.  AVe  asked  for  the 
near  presence  of  the  Saviour,  his  blessing,  and  his  bloody 
fulness  for  to-day;  and  recommended  ourselves  and  all 
churches  among  the  heathen  to  his  mercy.  There- 
upon was  a  service  for  the  baptized  from  to-day's  text: 
That  which  had  not  been  told  them  shall  they  see, 
and  that  which  they  had   not  heard  shall  they  consider. 


CLINTON  RIVER,  1786.  255 

"Welcome,  dear  brothers,  welcome — To  the  life  from  Jesus' 
wounds.  Since  he  has  announced  to  us  salvation  in  his 
wounds,  and  has  also  sent  us  hearts  to  receive  and  to 
believe,  and  since  through  belief  we  are  come  to  enjoy- 
ment of  the  same  and  rest  therein,  we  can,  and  will  also, 
wheresoever  we  have  opportunity,  confidently  preach  to 
those  heathen  who  are  yet  in  darkness  and  blindness,  that 
grace  is  to  be  found  in  Jesus  only,  that  they  shall  be  wel- 
come to  salvation  in  Jesus'  wounds,  which  he  has  won  for 
them  also,  and  we  will  invite  them  thereto.  At  the  love- 
feast,  at  which  also  a  white  man  was  present,  our  brethren 
were  reminded  of  our  other  heathen  churches,  and  what 
the  Saviour  had  done  among  them,  in  so  many  places,  by 
his  grace  and  the  service  of  the  brothers.  Br.  Hecke- 
welder  ended  the  services  of  the  day  with  a  short  discourse 
over  the  Scripture -verse  :     Turn  away  mine  eyes  from  be-  | 

holding  vanity. 

Ah,  give  us  dull  eyes  for  things  of  no  profit,  and  eyes 
full  of  clearness  in  all  thy  truth.  It  was  a  day  of  grace 
and  blessing  for  our  brethren.  Those  who  had  their  bap- 
tismal day  on  this  day,  came  together  and  invited  the  as- 
sistants to  a  love-feast,  sang  together,  and  rejoiced  in  their 
election,  just  as  also  happened  during  the  holidays,  for 
they  celebrate  the  day  of  their  baptism  as  their  birthday  in 
the  church,  not  knowing  their  real  birthdays. 

Sunday,  8.  Br.  David  preached  about  giving  over  the 
heart  to  the  Saviour  for  the  sake  of  the  mercy  he  has  shown 
us,  that  he  has  sacrificed  himself  on  the  cross  for  our  sins, 
and  had  reconciled  us  by  his  blood.  To  the  boys,  on  their 
day,  M^as  the  history  read  :  When  Jesus  was  twelve  years 
old,  etc.,  and  by  occasion  of  the  text :  Jesus  increased  in 
wisdom  and  stature,  and  in  favor  with  God  and  man,  they 
were  reminded  to  take  the  boy,  Jesus,  as  their  model  and 
example,  who  was  obedient  and  subject  to  his  parents,  and 
since  they  were  come  to  those  years  when  they  were  capa- 
ble and  began  to  think  about  things,  they  should  not 
think  about  bad  and  sinful  things,  but  about  good  things, 
as  they  heard  the  boy,  Jesus,  had  done,  who  went  into 
the  temple,  listened,  and  inquired  about  the  Scripture. 


256  zeisburgeb's  diary. 

Tuesday,    10.     Yesterday   and    to-day   some   went   out 
again  hunting. 

Saturday,  14.    Three  Chippewas  came  here,  one  a  chief's 
son,  the  other  a  captain,  to  speak  with  our  Indians.     Be- 
fore this   already  we   had   heard   that   the   chief  himself 
would    come  to   tell    us    something,    and,    as    it   seemed, 
these   were   sent.     They  said   the  chief  of    the   land    on 
the  river  was  dead  [for  among  the  Chippewas  each  chief, 
and   there    are   many   of  them,    has    his   own   district  of 
land  which  he  owns],  and    his    son   was   now    chief,    for 
with  them  the  position  of  chief  is  hereditary.     This  one 
had  it  in    mind   to  say  to  us  towards  spring  to  go  over 
the   lake  again  away  from   his    land ;    that  they   indeed 
thought  not  thus,  for  they  loved    their  grandfather,  and 
wished  him  to  remain  firmly  seated   there ;  they  wanted 
to  tell  us  this,  so  that  if  it  happened,  we  should  already 
know  about  it,  and  it  would  not  come  upon  us  unexpectedly. 
They  said  farther,  that  to  the   north-west  were  bad  In- 
dians, who  had  already  killed  many  white  people,  whom 
they  called  Virginians,  and  to  the  objection  that  no  Vir- 
ginians lived  in  this  neighborhood,  but  English  only,  they 
answered  that  they  called   all  white  people,  English  and 
Americans,  the  French  only  excepted,  Virginians ;   that 
they  had  already  sent  a  message  to  the  bad  Indians  to 
cease,  but  they  gave  no  heed,  and  if  they  did  not  cease  they 
would  be  compelled  to  fight  against  them  ;  that  our  Indians 
should  not  go  far  in  that  direction,  so  as  not  to  come  to 
harm,  but  should  they  hear  they  had  designs  against  us, 
they  would  inform  us  and  tell  us  that  we  might  rather  go 
away.     Though   our   Indian  brethren   spoke    mach  with 
them,  they  could  not  so  perfectly  understand  every  thing  as 
we  should  have  been  glad  to  have  them,  and  as  we  wanted 
to  say  something  to  them,  and  had  something  to  say,  we 
invited  them  to  come  again  after  a  few  days,  and  to  bring 
with  them  our  neighbor,  Mr,  Tucker,  who  knows  Chip- 
pewa well,  and  this  they  promised  to  do.     They  were  pres- 
ent at  the  sermon  Sunday  the  15th,  about  which  they 
inquired  yesterday  when  they  came.     They  brought  with 
them  a  cask  of  rum,  which  they  gave  to  our  Indians,  ask- 


CLINTON  RIVER,   1786.  257 

ing  for  corn,  this  we  gave  them,  the  whole  town  bring- 
ing them  a  fair  supply  together,  more  than  they  had  ex- 
pected, for  which  they  thanked  ns  much  and  often.  When 
they  went  away  we  gave  them  again  their  cask  of  rum  on 
the  way,  and  this  they  were  also  glad  to  receive. 

Sunday,  15.  Edwards  preached;  David  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting. 

Tuesday,  17.  Susanna  came  from  the  bush,  where  her 
husband  was  hunting,  and  said  there  were  many  Chippe- 
was'in  the  neighborhood.  Our  people  began  again  to  bring 
up  all  sorts  of  stories  and  lies,  to  make  one  another  afraid, 
saying  the  Chippewas  would  do  us  harm. 

Thursday,  19.  The  Chippewa  chief  came  here  again,  as 
he  had  told  us,  with  three  others  besides,  and  the  day  after, 

Friday,  20,  Mr.  Tucker  also,  who  understands  Chippewa, 
but  he  said  at  once  that,  so  far,  as  they  spoke  by  strings  or 
belts,  he  could  not  and  dared  not  interpret,  for  he  incurred 
danger.  They  came  together,  and  the  chief  first  delivered 
a  long  introductory  speech;  that  their  father  had, invited 
us  here,  and  had  arranged  with  them  (the  Chippewa  chiefs) 
that  we  should  live  here  on  this  river,  and  they  had  estab- 
lished us  here  so  long  to  dwell,  until  there  should  again  be 
peace.  "When  he  had  spoken  thus  far  he  drew  out  a  string 
of  wampum,  and  now  we  should  hear  what  he  had  to  say ; 
but  he  was  stopped  by  Tucker,  who  told  him  he  dared  not 
interpret  such  speeches,  if  they  had  any  such  thing  to  say, 
they  must  go  to  the  Fort  to  McKee,  and  arrange  their  mat- 
ters there,  and  thus  it  ended,  and  we  could  hear  nothing, 
but  it  is  probable  they  wanted  to  tell  us  to  go  away  from 
here  in  the  spring.  Thus  Indians  dare  not  once  speak  to- 
gether and  say  any  thing  one  to  another,  except  in  the 
presence  of  McKee,  for  none  of  us  white  brethren  was 
present;  and  yet  the  Indians  are  a  free  people,  they  coun- 
sel together,  do  and  act  without  control;  and  so  they  went 
away  again,  having  accomplished  nothing. 

Sunday,  22.  David  preached  and  held  the  children's 
service.     Heckewelder  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Tuesday,  24.     A  couple  of  Mingoes  came  here,  who  told 
16 


258  zeisberger's  diary. 

again  war-stories,  that  in  the  spring,  without  fail,  an  In- 
dian war  would  break  out ;  at  the  same  time  they  said  the 
Americans  would  come  to  Detroit  in  the  spring.  Edwards 
held  early  service. 

Wednesday,  *25.  Heckewelder  held  early  service.  Sev- 
eral Indian  brethren  went  to  Detroit. 

Sunday,  29.  Heckewelder  preached  about  good  seed  in 
the  field.  To  the  communicants  announcement  was  made 
of  the  Lord's  supper  for  next  Saturday.  Edwards  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 

Wednesday,  Feb.  1.  A  pair  of  English  people,  who 
came  here  yesterday  in  a  sleigh  from  Detroit,  namely,  a 
man  and  a  woman,  entreated'  us  to  marry  them.  As  we 
could  not  well  refuse,  there  being  no  clergyman  in  Detroit, 
and  if  there  was,  one  could  not  justly  put  the  people  off, 
we  had  to  give  our  consent,  and  since  they  brought  from 
Detroit  testimonials,  and  bound  themselves  to  protect  us 
from  damage,  we  did  it,  and  Heckewelder  married  them, 

Thursday,  2,  whereupon  the  next  day  they  went  back  to 
Detroit. 

Friday,  3.  Yesterday  and  to-day  was  speaking,  to  which 
the  Saviour  gave  grace, 

Saturday,  4,  and  we  had  thereupon  a  very  blessed  com- 
munion, accompanied  with  his  near  presence.  We  were 
very  much  put  to  shame,  for  it  had  looked  as  if  some 
brethren  would  have  to  remain  from  it,  but  the  Saviour  so 
brought  it  about  that  no  one  remained  away.  Three  sis- 
ters, Jacobina,  Anna  Paulina,  and  Helena,  were  candidates, 
to  wh(jm  it  was  a  great  blessing. 

Sunday,  5.  After  the  communion  liturgy  Br.  David 
preached.     Heckewelder  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  6.  David  and  Heckewelder  went  to  Detroit, 
whence  they, 

Wednesday,  8,  came  back.  They  spoke  there  with  the 
new  commandant,  Maj.  Ancrum,  and  told  him  that  Col.  de 
Peyster  had  settled  us  with  our  Indians  on  the  Huron  River, 
in  the  year  '82,  until  there  should  again  be  peace.  The 
year  before,  in  the  spring,  we  had  thought  of  moving  back 
over  the  lake,  but    had  been   advised  by  Gov.  Hay  and 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1786.  259 

McKee  to  wait  uutil  autumn,  as  no' peace  had  yet  been 
made  among  the  Indians;  this  we  had  done,  but  in  the 
autumn,  seeing  and  hearing  that  there  was  no  better  out- 
look, we  had  remained,  and  our  departure  now  depended 
upon  what  he  should  advise ;  he  would  best  know  how 
things  looked  in  the  Indian  land  and  how  the  nations  were 
disposed  ;  if  no  cause  for  alarm  or  danger  was  at  hand, 
we  should  be  glad  to  settle  in  our  appointed  place  next 
spring,  for  we  saw  we  could  not  stay  here,  and  the  Chip- 
pewas  would  gladly  see  us  away.  He  answered  that  at 
present  things  looked  as  favorable  among  the  nations  as 
ever.  The  Shawanese,  who  hitherto  had  come  to  no  treaty 
with  the  States,  had  now  consented,  and  also  the  other 
nations,  and  he  hoped  soon  to  have  good  news  from  them; 
he  saw  no  difficulty,  and  no  cause  for  anxiety,  why  we  could 
not  go  ;  if  we  went  he  would  send  in  our  behalf  a  message 
to  the  Indians  that  they  should  not  molest  us.  To  the 
same  purport  spoke  also  Capt.  McKee,  whom  we  called 
upon,  so  that  we  saw  circumstances  would  arrange  them- 
selves if  it  should  be  true,  for  hitherto  it  has  not  been 
time.  Every  one  had  told  us  that  he  was  a  man  hard  to 
treat  with,  but  we  found  him  quite  otherwise.  Moreover, 
Br.  David  baptized  on  the  7th,  in  this  city,  Elizabeth, 
Nathaniel  Williams'  child,  and  Heckewelderone,  by  name, 
Peter. 

Saturday,  11.  Some  gentlefolk  came  from  Detroit  vis- 
iting, among  others  Mr.  Dolson,  to  look  at  our  settlement, 
who  has  a  wish  to  buv  it. 

Sunday,  12.  At  the  sermon  were  present  some  of  those 
who  came  yesterday  from  Detroit,  but  these,  like  those 
here  generally,  are  merely  people  of  the  world,  who  inquire 
neither  about  religion  nor  God's  service,  but  are  worse  than 
heathen.  In  the  afternoon  service  Br.  David  baptized 
the  little  daughter  of  Br.  Jacob  Schebosh  and  his  wife 
Christiana,  born  day  before  yesterday,  on  the  10th,  with 
the  name  Elizabeth,  at  which  service  also  the  white  people 
were  present.    Br.  Edwards  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  13.     The  Detroiters  went  back  to  Detroit. 

Wednesday,  15.     The  brethren  began  to  make  prepara- 


260  zeisberger's  diary. 

« 

tions  for  sugar-making,  going  to  their  sugar-camp,  for  the 
weather  was  beautiful  and  mild. 

Saturday,  18.  Both  to-day  and  yesterday  Frenchmen 
came  here  to  buy  meat  from  the  Indians.  We  heard  that 
murdering  Indians  are  said  to  be  again  in  the  settlement, 
who  are  out  for  murder,  and  are  said  to  have  again  killed 
two  whites  [was  false].  So  the  murderers  are  said  to  have 
grown  to  six,  when  before  they  were  only  three.  The 
Chippewa  chief  had  us  warned  of  them. 

Sunday,  19.  Heckewelder  preached  about  the  sower, 
and  David  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Tuesday,  21.  We  heard  from  Detroit,  that  on  account 
of  a  band  of  Chippewas  it  was  unsafe  in  that  neighbor- 
hood, and  that  the  Governor  had  issued  a  proclamation, 
warning  all  the  inhabitants  not  to  go  far  from  the  city 
without  a  guard  and  arms.  We  also  learned,  as  was  said 
to  us,  from  one  McCormick,  who  came  from  Pittsburg, 
that  there  was  given  to  our  Indians  land  on  Licking 
creek,  which  falls  into  the  Muskingum  some  forty  miles 
below  Lichtenau,  instead  of  Schonbruiin,  Gnadenhiitten, 
and  Salem,  but  how  far  this  story  has  truth  we  must  wait 
farther  to  learn. 

Thursday,  23.  Frenchmen  came  here  to  sell  flour  and 
apples  for  all  sorts  of  things,  and  had  a  good  trade. 

Saturday,  25.  Mr.  Dolson  came  from  Detroit  and  also 
two  Frenchmen  for  the  same  purpose,  remaining  here 
over  Sunday.  An  English  woman  from  the  settlement 
came  here  with  her  child,  five  months  old,  and  asked  for 
its  baptism,  and  Br.  David  baptized  it  Sunday,  the  26th, 
with  the  name  John.  Br.  Edwards  preached,  and  David 
held  the  congregation  meeting.  This  whole  week  cold 
and  snowy  weather. 

Tuesday,  28.  We  ended  the  month  with  praise  and 
thanks  to  the  Lord,  who,  during  the  winter,  had  done  us 
great  good,  outwardly  and  inwardly.  Thomas'  child  in 
the  bush  got  the  measles. 

Thursday,  March  2.  Some  people  had  offered  to  buy 
our  improvements,  in  case  we  got  permission  from  the 
major.     We  applied  to  him  and  asked,  and  now  we  had 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1786.  261 

news  from  Detroit  that  Maj.  Ancrum,  the  present  com- 
mander, would  come  here  with  Mr.  Askin  to  make  us  a 
visit. 

Saturday,  4.  The  major  came,  with  a  couple  of  officers 
and  Mr.  Askin,  in  their  sleighs.  We  had  prepared  for 
them  a  separate  house  and  room,  and  famished  them  as 
well  as  we  could.  They  looked  about  our  town  to-day, 
visited  in  the  Indian  houses  and  took  notice  of  every 
thing,  examined  a  part  of  our  fields,  and  especially  the 
country,  which  was  the  main  object  of  their  visit.  Our 
town  and  its  situation  and  the  whole  neighborhood  pleased 
them  exceedingly  well.  They  had  not  thought  of  finding 
such  high  and  dry  land  here,  and  the  work  we  have  done 
here  in  three  and  a  half  years  was  a  wonder  to  them.  The 
major  and  Mr.  Askin,  each  of  whom  had  a  grant  from 
the  king  of  2,000  acres,  wished  to  have  it  taken  up  here 
for  them  and  to  pay  us  and  our  Indians  for  our  improve- 
ments and  work  what  was  fair  and  right.  The  major  will 
in  the  spring,  as  soon  as  the  lake  is  open,  take  us  all  over 
to  Cuyahoga  in  the  king's  ships.  He  and  all  with  him 
were  exceedingly  friendly  to  us  and  showed  us  their  good- 
will. The  next  morning  they  went  back  again,  very  well 
satisfied. 

Sunday,  5.  Br.  David  preached,  and  afterwards  in  the 
second  service  announced  to  the  brethren  the  Lord's  sup- 
per for  next  Saturday,  and  Heckewelder  held  the  congre- 
gation meeting. 

Monday,  6.  Heckewelder  and  Schebosh  went  on  busi- 
ness to  Detroit  to  arrange  all  kinds  of  things  about  our 
departure.  They  returned  on  the  8th,  Heckewelder  hav- 
ing arranged  with  Mr.  Askin  provisionally,  it  being  agreed 
that  we  and  our  Indians  shall  have  400  dollars  for  our 
houses  and  improvements,  we  whites  one  half  and  the  In- 
dian brethren  the  other.  Heckewelder  baptized  on  the 
7th  Isaac  Jones'  child,  George  David,  and  another.  Dr.  An- 
tony's, Louisa  Dorothy. 

Wednesday,  8.  We  had,  by  way  of  the  Shawanese 
towns,  letters  from  Br.  Schweinitz  (John  C.  A.  de  S.)  of 
Oct.  12,  '85,  from  Brs.  Jungmann  and  Sensemann,  of  Oct. 


262  zeisberger's  diary. 

8th,  and  his  son,  John  Sensemann,  of  Nov.  1st,  from  Pitts- 
burg. 

Thursday,  9.  The  surveyor,  Lieut.  Frey,  came  with  his 
company  to  measure  off  four  thousand  acres  of  land,  in 
which  shall  be  included  all  our  fields  and  our  town  ;  of 
this  they  made  the  beginning  the  next  day. 

Saturday,  11.  We  had  the  holy  communion,  accom- 
panied by  the  near  presence  of  the  Saviour.  Our  dear 
Lord  blessed  us  in  an  extraordinary  way.  Three  sisters, 
Jacobina,  Anna  Paulina,  and  Helena,  were  for  the  first 
time  partakers,  and  three  others,  namely,  Renatus,  the 
Mohican,  his  wife,  Mary  Magdalene,  and  the  widow,  Eliza- 
beth, looked  on  for  the  first  time,  and  this  caused  great 
joy  with  all  the  brethren  and  with  us.  There  came  again 
four  sledges  with  Frenchmen  here,  who  brought  with  them 
their  wives  and  children,  merelj'  to  see  our  place,  which  is 
now  quite  the  fashion  since  the  major  and  Mr.  Askin  have 
been  here. 

Sunday,  12.  After  the  communion  liturg}^  during  the 
sermon  from  the  Gospel  about  the  Canaanite  woman,  were 
present  Lieut.  Frey  and  the  ship  captain,  Mr.  Anderson. 

Monday,  13.  Our  Lidian  brethren,  who  have  already, 
during  the  winter,  laid  out  and  cut  through  a  straight  road 
to  Detroit,  went  out  to  clear  the  same,  so  that  sleds  and 
carts  can  pass  through,  and  to  meet  a  party  of  road-makers 
whom  the  major  has  sent  up  from  below  for  the  same 
purpose,  that  the  road  may  be  ready  as  soon  as  may  be. 
The  sisters  all  went  to  the  sugar-huts. 

Thursday,  16.     The  brothers  got  done  road-making. 

Friday,  17.  The  surveyor,  Frey,  and  Capt.  Anderson, 
who  have  done  here  all  they  wished,  went  back  to  De- 
troit, measuring,  on  their  way  back,  the  road  with  chain. 
The}^  have  measured  the  creek,  which  is  still  frozen,  with 
all  its  turnings,  half  way  to  the  lake,  of  which,  as  well  as 
of  the  appearance  of  our  town,  he  has  made  an  accurate 
chart  and  sketch. 

Sunday,  19.  Heckewelder  preached;  few  of  the  breth- 
*ren  were  at  home,  being  in  their  sugar-huts,  for  the  trees 
were   freely   running.     The   brethren    who    have    helped 


CLINTON    RIVER,    1786.  263 

make  the  road  came  home,  and  it  has  been  found  to  be 
twenty-three  and  one-half  miles  from  our  town  to  Detroit, 
straight  through  the  bush.  The  Indian  brethren  were 
well  paid  for  the  work  they  have  here  done.  This  fore- 
noon the  brethren  from  over  the  river  came  here  from 
their  sugar-huts,  on  the  ice,  and  in  a  couple  of  hours  it 
was  all  open;  they  went  over  in  canoes  on  their  return. 

Tuesday,  21.  Two  Frenchmen  came  to  look  at  the 
place,  sent  by  Askin  and  the  Governor,  for  in  the  future 
they  will  live  here,  each  one  renting  a  plantation  together 
with  a  house.  As  we  hear,  our  place  will  remain  a  town, 
and  those  who  come  here  will  live  together,  in  this  way  all 
our  houses  being  used. 

Friday,  24.  To-day  and  yesterday  the  weather  was 
very  stormy,  and  some  brethren  in  the  bush,  in  their 
sugar-camp,  experienced  the  manifest  protection  of  the 
Saviour  and  the  dear  angels,  for  the  wind  struck  down 
many  trees,  which  fell  on  A.  Johanna's  sugar-hut,  crushed 
it  in,  and  she  was  in  the  greatest  danger  of  being  struck, 
but  suffered  no  harm. 

Sunday,  26.  Br.  Edwards  preached.  Inasmuch  as  most 
of  the  brethren  were  not  at  home  yesterday  we  celebrated 
to-day  yesterday's  momentous  day  (Annunciation),  read 
the  history,  and  brought  to  him  our  joyful  thanks  for  his 
meritorious  holy  incarnation,  in  which  all  of  us,  chil- 
dren, young  and  old,  have  so  great  part,  and  yet  enjoy  it. 
Thomas'  family  came  here  ;  two  children  who  have  .had 
the  measles  have  recovered,  and  they  go  no  farther. 

Monday,  27.  We  congratulated  Sister  Sara  Heckewel- 
der'  on  her  birthday,  at  a  love-feast. 

Tuesday,  28.  The  Indian  brethren  went  to  the  lake  to 
get  their  canoes  into  the  water. 

Friday,  31.  We  got  news  that  the  Chippewas  have 
brought  the  two  murderers  to  Detroit  and  surrendered 
them,  that  thereupon  they  were  held  under  guard,  when 

'Sara  Ohneberg  had  been  married  to  John  Heckewelder,  July  4, 
1780,  by  Grube,  at  Salem.  "It  was,  doubtless,  the  first  wedding  of  a 
white  couple  in  the  present  State  of  Ohio."  De  Schweinitz'  Life  of  Zeis- 
berger,  p.  478. 


264  zeisberger's  diary. 

one  of  them,  trying  to  get  away,  was  shot  hy  the  watch, 
the  other  is  under  guard. 

Sunday,  April  2.  Early  at  the  break  of  day  Hecke- 
welder  and  William  went  to  Detroit.  Br.  David  preached 
about  the  effectual  sacrifice  of  Jesus  for  our  sins.  In  the 
second  service  he  baptized,  with  the  name  Philippina,  the 
little  daughter  of  Adolphus  and  Susanna,  born  day  before 
yesterday. 

Tuesday,  4.  Hecke welder  came  back  from  Detroit, 
bringing  us  news  that  we  could  celebrate  here  in  quiet  the 
holidays,  but  immediately  afterwards  we  must  break  up 
here  and  go  to  Detroit,  where  a  ship  would  be  ready  to 
take  us  and  our  Indians  to  Cuyahoga. 

Wednesday,  5.  There  came  here  a  couple  of  strolling 
Germans,  who  came  from  the  States  to  Detroit  to  see  the 
country,  and  they  are  disposed  to  settle  here. 

Saturday,  8.     The  brethren  got  don^  making  sugar. 

Sunday,  9.  Br.  Edwards  preached.  Thereupon  was  a 
service  for  the  communion  brethren,  and  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  Two  white  people  came  here  and 
examined  the  place  and  fields,  wishing  to  settle  here. 

Monday,  10.  The  brethren  went  to  the  lake  to  get  the 
canoes  they  have  made,  into  the  water. 

Wednesday,  12.  Speaking  with  the  brethren.  People 
from  Detroit  visited  the  place ;  many  wish  to  move  here. 

Thursday,  13.  On  Maundy-Tharsday  we  read  in  the 
evening  the  history  of  our  Saviour's  eCtonement  struggle, 
agony  of  soul,  and  bloody  sweat  on  the  Mount  of  Olives, 
and  of  his  being  taken  prisoner,  whereby  our  hearts  were 
melted  at  our  debt  of  thanks  towards  him.  The  com- 
munion brethren  had  afterwards  the  washing  of  feet  and 
then  the  holy  sacrament  of  his  body  and  blood  in  the 
night  of  his  betrayal.  Two  sisters,  Mary  Magdalene  and 
Elizabeth,  were  for  the  first  time  partakers,  and  Ignatius 
and  his  wife,  Christina,  were  readmitted,  he  coming 
thereto  for  the  first  time  since  he  is  here. 

Friday,  14.  We  passed  Easter  Friday  in  contemplation 
of  all  his  sufferings,  his  bonds  and  buffets,  his  crown  of 
thorns  and  scourgings,  his  countenance  spit  upon,   and 


CLINTON   RIVEK,   1786.  265 

what  scoff,  scorn,  and  revilings,  passed  over  him  in  his  cru- 
cifixion and  martyr-death  to  the  grave,  and  the  reading  of 
the  story  was  listened  to  with  moved  and  melted  hearts. 
At  his  death,  falling  upon  our  knees,  we  read  the  liturgy, 
brought  to  him  our  common  thanks  for  all  he  had  done 
and  suffered  for  us,  and  as  we  were  in  no  position  to  make 
him  compensation  therefor,  we  vowed  to  him  that  his 
death,  passion,  and  what  he  suffered  for  us,  should  never 
leave  our  hearts  till  we  saw  him  face  to  face. 

Saturday,  15.  The  whole  church  had  a  love-feast,  the 
last  one  here. 

Sunday,  16.  Early  in  the  morning  we  read  the  Easter 
litany,  partly  in  our  chapel  and  partly  in  the  grave-yard, 
and  then  a  portion  of  the  story  of  the  resurrection  was 
read.  Heckewelder  preached  and  David  held  the  congre- 
gation meeting. 

Monday,  17.  In  the  evening  came  Capt.  Anderson,whose 
ship  lay  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  which  on  Tuesday  the 
18th  was  laden  with  corn  our  Indians  brought,  which  Mr. 
Askin  had  bought  here. 

Wednesday,  19.  We  got  ready  for  departure.  White 
people  were  already  here,  and  among  them  one  Cornwall 
(from  Connecticut),  to  whom  over  night  our  town  and  set- 
tlement were  given,  and  who  took  possession. 

Thursday,  20.  After  we  had  early,  for  the  last  time,  as- 
sembled in  our  chapel,  and  thanked  the  Saviour  upon  our 
knees  for  all  the  goodness  we  had  enjoyed  from  him,  and 
farther  committed  ourselves  to  his  mercy  upon  the  jour- 
ney, we  loaded  our  canoes,  and  all  went  away  together  in 
the  afternoon.  Kone  of  us  all  remained  behind,  save 
Conner's  family,  who  himself  knew  not  whither  to  go,  nor 
what  to  do.  In  the  evening  we  camped  at  the  mouth  of 
the  River  Huron.  It  was  just  four  years  to-day  that  we 
landed  in  Detroit,  and  in  truth  we  could  not  do  otherwise 
than  give  the  Saviour  to  recognize  our  thankful  hearts  for 
all  the  kindnesses  he  had  shown  us,  and  that  he  had  done 
every  thing  so  well  with  us.  Our  Scripture-verse  read: 
Casting  all  your  care  upon  him.     He  who  has  chosen  us 


266  zeisberger's  diary. 

for  himself  well  knows  in  what  we  are  lacking/ — a  proof 
that  he  will  farther  be  gracious  to  us,  and  that  we  shaU 
not  find  it  needful  to  be  anxious  how  things  will  go  with 
us  in  the  future.  We  left  Conner's  family  behind.  How 
strong  we  are  !  How  many  have  died,  how  many  been  born  ! 

Friday,  21.  Early  in  the  morning  we  went  into  Lake 
St.  Clair,  and  in  the  afternoon,  with  a  good  wind,  came  to 
the  outer  end  of  the  settlement,  but  the  wind  getting 
strong  and  the  waves  running  high,  we  had  to  lie  still 
to-day  and  all  of  the  22d.  The  people  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, French  and  English,  came  to  visit  us,  and  were 
sorry  at  our  moving  away,  and  would  rather  we  remained. 

Sunday,  23.  The  strong  wind  lessening,  we  started 
early,  and  at  noon  came  to  Detroit  with  a  fleet  of  twenty- 
two  canoes,  most  of  them  quite  large.  Here  we  were  well 
received.  Since  the  ship  in  which  we  were  to  go  had  to 
be  repaired,  we  must  wait  some  days  here. 

Wednesday,  26.  Br.  David  went  to  Capt.  McKee  and 
told  him  our  Indians  would  like  to  say  something  to  the 
Chippewa  chiefs,  many  of  whose  people  were  in  the  city, 
before  they  went  away,  and  begged  him  to  give  them  an 
opportunity  for  this;  this  he  did,  telling  the  Chippewas  to 
keep  themselves  sober,  for  their  grandfather  (i.  e,  the 
Delaware  Indians)  had  something  to  say  to  them  and 
wished  to  shake  hands  with  them.  They  came,  Thursday 
the  27th,  together,  and  our  Indians  made  a  speech  to  them, 
expressing  to  them  their  thankfulness  for  receiving  them 
and  allowing  them  to  live  near  them  on  their  land  quietly 
and  peacefully  more  than  four  years  ;  they  told  them  they 
were  now  going  back  again  over  the  lake  to  their  former 
home,  and  for  confirmation  of  their  speech  gave  them  a 
bunch  of  some  1,000  wampum.  One  of  the  chiefs  [they 
were  not  all  present]  stood  up  with  a  string  of  wampum 
in  his  hand,  and  said:  "Grandfather,  we  love  thee  and 
see  not  willingly  that  thou  goest  away  from  us.  We  bind 
thy  legs  together  that  thou  canst  not  go  forth,  and  say  to 
thee  :  '  Turn  again  and  abide  by  the  lliver  Huron.' "     We 

1  Collect. 


IN   DETROIT,   1786.  267 

looked  upon  this  speecli  as  a  compliment,  for  hitherto  we 
had  ever  heard  that  they  would  like  to  see  us  go  away 
again,  since  our  Indians  took  away  their  hunt.  In  the 
evening,  however,  came  another  chief  from  over  the  river, 
who  was  not  in  the  council,  who  said  to  our  Indians  that 
they  should  give  no  heed  to  what  the  drunken  Chippewa 
chief  had  said ;  he  knew  very  well  that  from  the  beginning 
it  was  arranged  that  we  should  remain  there  until  there 
was  again  peace  ;  it  was  well  we  were  again  going  over 
the  lake  and  should  be  out  of  the  way,  and  he  gave  us  to 
understand  they  had  yet  something  to  settle  with  their 
father  (i.  e.,  the  English)  after  we  were  gone.  We  sent 
back  again  to  the  chief  his  string  of  wampum. 

It  was  resolved  that  one  ship  should  take  all  of  us  to 
Cuyahoga,  but  we  saw  that  one  alone  could  not  hold  us 
all,  and  spoke  about  the  matter  to  Mr.  Askin,  to  whom 
sole  charge  herein  was  given  by  the  commandant,  who 
ordered  that  another  one  should  go.  All  people  in  De- 
troit showed  us  their  sorrow,  not  only  that  we,  but  also  that 
our  Indians  were  leaving  them.  These  left  a  good  repu- 
tation behind  them,  for  all  merchants  in  the  city  report 
that  they  have  paid  all  their  debts  to  the  last  penny,  say- 
ing it  could  well  enough  be  seen  that  they  were  an  hon- 
orable people  and  better  than  all  the  inhabitants  around 
Detroit,  who  do  not  like  to  pay  their  debts,  and  add  thereto ; 
that  this  was  the  fruit  of  the  missionaries'  labor.  We 
were  ourselves  glad  and  thankful  to  the  Saviour  that  none 
of  our  Indians  remained  a  penny  in  debt,  having  always 
urged  upon  them  to  be  mindful  of  this.  This  was  pleas- 
ant. One  family,  namely,  Thomas',  who  is  very  poor,  but 
rich  in  children,  was  somewhat  in  debt  and  had  nothing  to 
pay  with,  for  which  he  was  much  perplexed,  complaining 
to  us  of  his  situation.  His  wife  went  walking  with  the  chil- 
dren on  the  commons  near  the  town,  where  she  found  a 
guinea,  but  did  not  know  whether  it  was  copper  or  gold 
until  she  heard  from  us.  Thereupon  he  paid  his  debt  and 
had  still  somewhat  left,  and  we  were  as  glad  about  it  as  he 
was. 

Friday,  28.     After  we  got  our  pass  from  the  Major,  who 


268  zeisberger's  diary. 

gave  us  aud  our  Indians  provisions  for  the  journey,  and 
had  thanked  him  for  the  good  services  he  had  done  us, 
we  went  away  at  mid-day  in  the  Beaver  and  Mackina 
sloop.  At  first  we  had  much  difficulty  in  getting  off  on 
account  of  the  weeds  with  which  we  were  surrounded, 
and  when  we  were  come  some  seven  miles,  with  a  good 
wind,  we  went  aground  under  all  sail,  and  had  two  hours' 
work,  with  the  help  of  the  other  ship,  to  get  off  again. 
It  was  Capt.  Anderson's  written  order,  given  in  our  pres- 
ence, that  he  and  all  the  ship-people  should  show  them- 
selves friendly  to  us,  and  treat  us  well,  and  that  we  should 
inform  them  how  they  behaved  towards  us  and  our  Indians ; 
that  the  captain  should  use  all  forethought  and  not  put 
us  in  danger,  yes,  if  the  wind  were  strong,  rather  to  lessen 
sail  than  to  frighten  the  Indians ;  in  short,  as  far  as  lay 
in  his  power,  to  land  us  fortunately  in  Cuyahoga.  In  the 
evening  we  came  to  anchor  at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  The 
captain  put  all  the  Indians  ashore,  for  the  ship  was  much 
crowded,  where  the}''  made  them  a  fire  and  encamped.  A 
man  by  the  name  of  Hasle,  who  lives  there,  and  whose 
child  Heckewelder  baptized,  came  from  the  "Wyandot 
town  which  we  had  gone  by.  The  chief,  who  knew  us, 
and  who  two  days  before  had  come  from  the  treaty  with 
the  States,  sent  us  word  he  wished  to  call  upon  us  in  the 
morning  before  we  started,  probably  to  tell  us  something 
about  the  treaty,  for  he  had  said  to  Hasle  that  never  had 
so  stable  and  good  a  peace  been  made  with  the  Indians  as 
was  this;  this  was  satisfactory  and  pleasant  for  us  to  hear, 
but  he  had  no  sooner  seen  us  than  the  captain  lifted, 

Saturday,  29,  anchor  early  in  the  morning,  and  we  went 
into  the  lake,  having  wind  from  the  side,  quite  a  strong 
wind  too,  and  with  few  exceptions  everybody  was  sea-sick. 
Yet  we  came,  towards  evening,  after  sailing  forty  miles? 
to  Pudding  (Put-in)-Bay,  among  the  islands,  when  the 
captain  came  to  anchor  in  water  six  fathoms  deep,  for 
from  this  point  he  had  to  change  his  course,  and  must 
wait  for  a  suitable  wind,  and  here,  moreover,  the  harbor 
is  good  and  safe  protected  from  all  winds.  Here  we  stayed 
till  May  [23d],  for  the  captain  would  not  venture  to  run 


LAKE    ERIE    ISLANDS,    1786.  269 

out  unless  he  had  a  good  wind,  it  being  dangerous  to  come 
on  the  coast  except  with  a  west  or  south-west  wind.  We 
landed  on  the  island  everyday,  and  remained  till  evening, 
when  we  again  went  aboard  ship.  Two  nights,  also,  we 
encamped  on  land,  for  both  ships  were  much  crowded, 
and  if  we  passed  the  night  on  shipboard,  half  of  us  had 
to  sleep  on  deck,  and  it  was  well  the  weather  was  good 
and  not  cold.  In  the  evening,  whenever  it  was  possible, 
we  had  our  services.  The  .Indians  shot  ducks  and  pig- 
eons, and  found  wild  potatoes  and  onions  in  abundance. 
The  captain  and  ship's  crew  fished,  and  got  fish  enough 
for  us  and  everybody.  The  island  is  good  and  fertile, 
three  miles  long  by  two  wide.  South  of  it,  about  a  mile 
oflE",  is  another  much  larger,  indeed  there  are  many  islands 
here  in  the  midst  of  the  lake.  There  is  much  red  cedar 
timber  here,  much  of  which  is  taken  to  Detroit  for  ship- 
building. The  bank  round  about  the  island  is  quite  a 
high  bank,  like  a  fortification,  which  the  sea-waves  have 
thrown  up  and  formed.  Our  Indians  started  up  deer,  but 
had  no  sight  of  them.  There  are  many  raccoons,  but  no 
other  game. 

May,  5.  The  wind  changed  to  the  north-west  and  blew 
hard.  We  were  all  ashore.  The  ships  raised  anchor,  and 
went  to  the  east  side  of  the  island,  out  of  the  wind.  Some 
Indians  wept,  saying  they  were  abandoned  and  left  upon 
the  island,  and  that  would  be  fulfilled  which  the  savages 
had  always  predicted,  but  we  explained  to  them^  and 
changed  our  camp  to  the  other  side  of  the  island,  where 
the  ships  lay. 

Saturday,  6.  Early,  about  two  o'clock,  we  had  a  thun- 
der-storm from  the  south.  At  break  of  day  we  were  or- 
dered to  come  aboard,  but  hardly  was  the  first  boat-load 
aboard  ship,  when  the  wind  sprang  around  to  the  north- 
west, and  it  came  on  to  blow  hard.  The  ship  nearest 
land,  the  Beaver,  was  in  danger  of  being  driven  on  the 
rocks,  she  was  so  near  land ;  she  had  to  let  her  anchor  go, 
and  by  good  luck  she  got  by  the  rocks,  and  came  to 
anchor  on  the  east  side. 
Friday,  12.     We  encamped  on  the  east  side.     Towards 


270  zeisberger's  diary. 

evening,  when  the  wind  went  down,  the  captain  got  up 
his  anchor  again.  Some  of  onr  Indian  brethren  began  to 
be  short  of  provisions.  The  13th  and  14th  we  encamped 
on  the  island. 

Monday,  15.  Early  in  the  morning  we  saw  three  ships 
lying  at  anchor.  The  sloop.  Felicity,  from  Detroit,  had 
come  in  during  the  night,  on  her  way  to  Fort  Erie. 

Wednesday,  17.  The  Felicity  sailed  with  a  north-west 
wind  for  Fort  Erie.  She  had  the  Chippewa  murderer 
aboard  in  irons;  some  of  our  Indians  were  there  aboard 
and  saw  him.  We  remained  at  anchor,  for  the  wind  was 
not  good  for  us,  since  it  bore  down  directly  upon  the  coast 
of  Cuyahoga,  making  a  high  sea,  so  that  the  captain  could 
not  run  in,  for  there  is  a  sand-bank  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  and  ships  must  have  still  water,  if  they  want  to  get 
in,  otherwise  they  are  in  danger  of  being  wrecked  on  the 
bar,  or  we  must  then  run  to  the  north  shore. 

Thursday,  18.  The  wind  was  for  a  while  favorable,  but 
varied  so  much  as  to  run  all  around  the  compass.  Some 
Indians  talked  of  making  canoes  to  go  to  the  nearest  land 
south,  and  to  leave  the  ship,  but  this  would  have  been 
ver}^  venturesome,  for,  if  a  storm  had  arisen  on  the  lakes, 
they  would  all  have  perished. 

Friday,  19.  Since  the  captain  perceived  the  wind  was 
changing  to  the  south,  we  all  had  to  go  aboard  in  the  aft- 
ernoon. He  made  every  preparation  to  put  out  into  the 
lake,  hoisted  the  boat  on  deck,  and  ran  down  to  the  ex- 
treme east  end  of  the  island,  and  came  to  anchor.  Here 
we  lay  till  two  o'clock,  and  as  the  wind  held,  he  ran  out 
to  sea,  Saturday,  the  20th.  But,  at  ten  o'clock,  when  we 
had  come  half  way  to  Cuyahoga  and  saw  the  coast  before 
us,  the  wind  again  veered  to  the  east,  and  was  very  strong 
and  the  sea  high,  and  almost  everybody  was  sea-sick.  The 
captain  could  do  no  better  than  turn  about  and  seek  our 
former  haven.  He  signaled  the  Mackina,  and  we  turned 
about,  and  came  in  the  afternoon,  fortunately,  to  our 
island  again,  where  the  brethren  refreshed  themselves. 

Sunday,  21.     We   white   brethren    landed,  and    in  the 


LAKE    ERIE   ISLANDS,    1786.  271 

evening  went  aboard  again.  We  gave  of  our  corn  to  the 
needy. 

Monday,  22.  In  the  night  it  blew  very  hard.  The  cap- 
tain had  his  second  anchor  ready  to  let  go  should  need 
require  it. 

Tuesday,  23.  We  had  all  to  go  aboard  early.  Both 
ships  ran  towards  another  island  lying  to  the  south,  oppo- 
site the  first,  into  a  better  harbor,  where  no  wind  could 
get  at  them,  come  from  what  quarter  it  might.  Here  they 
fastened  the  ships  to  the  trees,  so  that  we  could  go  from 
the  ship  ashore,  for  the  bank  is  quite  steep  and  the  water 
deep.  Here  the  Indians  got  a  new  place  to  hunt,  for  they 
had  already  quite  exhausted  the  game  on  the  other  island, 
and  there  was  little  more  to  be  had,  though  there  is  no 
other  game  here  than  raccoons  and  pigeons.  This  island 
is  as  large  again  as  the  former.  The  harbor  is  called 
Hope's  Cove,  for  the.  ship,  Hope,  passed  the  winter  here, 
being  frozen  in.  Our  crew  also  began  to  run  short  of  pro- 
visions, although  till  now  they  have  caught  fish  for  them- 
selves and  for  us,  if  only  they  could.  Here  we  built  us 
huts,  and  thus  we  have  always  something  to  do.  In  camp 
we  had  our  service. 

Wednesday,  24.  On  Ascension  Day  we  were  comforted 
with  the  promise  of  our  dear  Lord  that  he  would  ever  be 
with  us,  by  sea  and  by  land,  also  upon  the  islands  in  the 
midst  of  the  lake.  In  our  service  we  were  made  assured 
and  aware  of  this. 

Friday,  26.  Wind  and  weather  continued  always  as 
before — east  wind,  with  rain.  Our  Indians  got  many  fish 
and  raccoons  and  shot  ducks.  To-day  they  saw  Rocky 
Point,  not  far  from  Sandusky,  very  plainly  over  against 
this  island.  Ginseng  root  grows  here  in  abundance,  as  if 
planted. 

Saturday,  27.  Early  in  the  morning  the  wind  was 
south-east.  The  captain  prepared  to  run  out,  but  it  turned 
back  again  to  the  east,  and  we  stayed  still. 

Sunday,  28.  In  the  forenoon  a  boat  came  from  Detroit, 
with  three  men,  sent  out  to  hunt  us  up,  since  the  ships 
which  they  had  long  expected  back  stayed  out  so  long,  and 


272  zeisberger's  diary. 

they  conjectured  they  must  have  met  with  trouble.  The 
Beaver,  the  larger  ship,  got  orders  to  go  back  to  Detroit, 
and  the  sloop,  Mackina,  to  take  us  in  two  trips  to  Cuya- 
hoga. This  made  us  very  uneasy,  for  in  this  way  we  saw 
nothing  else  before  us  than  to  use  up  the  whole  summer 
here  on  the  lake  in  making  our  journey,  and  where  should 
we  get  any  thing  to  eat  for  so  many  people  ?  Still  it  was 
well  that  we  got  some  few  supplies  sent  on  with  us,  but 
what  were  they  among  so  many,  for  we  had  already  sup- 
ported our  Indian  brethren  a  week  from  our  own  stock, 
and  hoped  day  after  day  for  relief.  We  took  counsel  with 
both  captains,  for  the  reason  of  the  order  they  had  now 
received  was  not  evident  to  us,  and  proposed  to  them  that 
the  Mackina  in  two  trips  should  take  us  to  the  Sandusky 
shore,  and  should  then  go  to  Cuyahoga  with  the  baggage 
as  soon  as  the  wind  was  favorable.  This  the  captains  not 
only  approved,  but  also  held  for  the  l^est.  Both  ships  were 
to-day  unloaded,  the  Beaver  for  her  return  and  the  Mack- 
ina in  order  to  take  the  people  to  Sandusky. 

Monday,  29.  Early  at  daybreak  the  Beaver  was  towed 
out  of  the  harbor,  and  then  got  under  sail  for  Detroit. 
She  belongs  to  the  ISrorth-West  Trading  Company,  and  is 
not  a  royal  ship,  on  which  account  she  was  to  go  back  and 
without  delay  to  Michilimackinac.  The  captain  had  ex- 
pressed his  sorrow  to  us  that  he  could  not  take  us  to  Cuy- 
ahoga. In  the  afternoon  Br.  David  and  his  wife,  with  the 
greater  part  of  the  Indian  brethren,  went  aboard  the  Mack- 
ina and  sailed  away.  Br.  Heckewelder  and  his  wife  and 
Br.  Edwards  remained  with  the  rest  on  the  island  till  the 
ship  came  back  to  take  them.  We  sailed  around  the  south 
side  of  the  island.  The  captain  hoped  with  the  wind  to 
reach  Sandusky,  but  it  was  impossible.  We  were  forced 
to  cast  anchor  at  the  point  of  the  island,  and  since  in  the 
evening  the  wind  got  too  strong,  and  he  did  not  consider 
it  advisable  to  lie  at  anchor  in  the  open  lake,  we  had  to  run 
a  piece  of  the  way  back  below  the  island  out  of  the  wind, 
where  we  lay  till  morning. 

Tuesday,  30.  The  wind  had  gone  down,  and  it  was 
very  calm,  but  contrary.     The  captain  saw  no  possibility 


LANDING  NEAR  SANDUSKY,  1786.  273 

of  coming  to  Sandusky  with  the  wind,  and  wanted  to  run 
back  again  to  the  harbor.  We  begged  him  to  set  us 
ashore  on  the  nearest  land  opposite  us,  which  he  did  at 
our  request,  holding  towards  the  land,  and  as  the  wind 
was  very  weak  the  sisters  and  brothers  took  the  paddles, 
a  store  of  which  they  had  made  on  the  island,  and  towed 
the  ship  to  the  land.  By  mid-day  we  were  all  landed,  and 
the  captain  turned  straightway  back  to  get  the  rest. 
Hardly  had  we  encamped  when  ten  Tawas,  out  hunting, 
came  to  us,  who  were  much  amazed  to  meet  such  a  num- 
ber of  people  in  a  place  where  far  and  wide  was  no  way 
nor  road.  We  told  them  our  situation,  and  pointed  out 
to  them  our  ship,  which  could  yet  be  plainly  seen,  that  had 
brought  us  hither.  We  gave  them  food,  and  they  shared 
their  meat  with  us  and  showed  us  also  how  to  steer  through 
the  bush  to  Sanduskv,  for  near  the  lake  or  strand  we  can- 
not  get  along.  We  learned  that  it  was  some  sixteen 
miles  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sandusky.  In  the  evening  we 
had  our  service  and  consideration  of  the  Scripture-verse: 
The  Lord  shall  increase  you  more  and  more,  you  and  your 
children.  We  still  saw  our  ship  at  anchor  near  a  little 
island.  Here  those  who  came  after  took  more  fish  than 
they  wanted  or  could  bring  with  them.  The  water 
swarmed  with  fish,  so  that  with  a  sharp  stake  we  could 
not  strike  without  hitting  some. 

Wednesday,  31.  AVe  made  up  our  bundles  early  and 
prepared  for  departure.  Each  one  had  to  carry  his  full 
burden,  for  we  had  to  provide  ourselves  for  two  weeks,  as 
we  did  not  know  when  the  ship  would  get  to  us.  Br. 
David  and  Susanna,  as  well  as  the  others,  moved  off. 
Samuel  went  ahead  and  was  pilot.  The  hindmost  had  the 
easiest  time,  for  they  found  a  beaten  way  before  them.  At 
noon  we  came  to  a  deep,  swampy  creek,  and  as  there  was 
no  chance  to  make  a  canoe,  all  had  to  get  wet  up  to  the 
arms  and  take  their  bundles  on  their  heads,  that  they 
might  not  be  wet.  David  and  Susanna  were  carried  over 
by  four  men  upon  a  litter,  hastily  made.  In  the  evening, 
as  we  were  getting  our  camp  ready,  a  deer  was  shot  and 
18 


274  zeisberger's  diary. 

distributed  about  tbe  camp.  Though  the  journey  was 
hard  and  the  brethren  weary,  yet  were  they  cheerful  and 
pleased  to  be  again  on  firm  land  and  in  their  element. 

Thursday,  June  1.  Early  in  the  morningwesoon  came  to 
Sandusky  Bay,  which  we  had  to  cross.  It  is  quite  wide 
[a  mile],  and  then  we  had  to  lie  still,  the  wind  being 
strong  and  the  waves  very  high.  Many  French  live  here 
about  the  bay  and  on  the  islands  in  the  bay,  to  whom  Br. 
David  went,  to  see  if  they  could  put  us  over,  but  they  had 
neither  boats  nor  canoes  suitable  for  this,  none  in  which 
more  than  two  or  three  persons  could  go,  and  we  had  to 
turn  to  the  Ottawas,  who  lived  on  the  lake,  who  were 
willing  to  lend  us  their  canoes,  in  part  bark  canoes,  for 
pay. 

Friday,  2.  We  had  still  to  stay  in  camp  Here,  the  wind 
blowing  from  the  east  straight  into  the  bay,  and  the  waves 
running  very  high,  lu  the  forenoon  Abraham  came  with 
two  families  after  us,  and  joined  our  party.  Heckcwelder, 
with  the  rest,  came  by  water,  in  bark  canoes,  which  they 
made,  as  soon  as  wind  and  weather  were  favorable. 
Brs.  Schebosh  and  Edwards,  with  the  Indian  brethren, 
Cornelius,  the  blind  Ephraim,  and  the  aged  Beata,  re- 
mained on  the  ship,  being  unable  to  go  by  land,  and  came 
to  us  in  Cuyahoga  with  the  baggage.  To-day  and  yester- 
day we  had  many  visits  from  Ottawas,  who  live  just  by  us. 
In  the  evening  they  had  a  dance,  and  when  none  of  our 
Indians  went  to  the  dance,  at  the  end  of  it  they  came  out 
into  our  camp,  seeking  to  lead  astray  our  women.  Some 
came  to  Br.  David  and  said  to  him  they  would  like  to  have 
some  of  our  women.  He  told  them,  for  one  understood 
Delaware  very  well,  that  they  must  know  that  our  Indians 
no  longer  lived  in  the  heathenish  way  they  did ;  that  they 
should  not  trouble  themselves  about  them,  that  we  would 
not  grant  them  their  wish,  whereupon  they  went  away. 
In  the  evening  we  had  our  service  and  consideration  of 
the  Scripture-verse:  For  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from 
death,  mine  eyes  from  tears,  and  my  feet  from  falling. 

Saturday,  3.     At  daybreak  we  got  ready,  for  the  wind 
had  somewhat  gone  down,  and  after  we  had  gone  full  three 


JOURNEY   TO    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  275 

miles  upon  a  point  of  land,  on  both  sides  of  which  was  the 
lake,  we  crossed  over  in  the  little  canoes,  which  had  to 
make  several  trips,  till  at  eight  o'clock  we  had  all  got 
over.  We  went  then  the  whole  day  along  the  lake  shore 
in  the  sand,  until  in  the  afternoon  we  came  to  the  Pett- 
quotting,^  a  great  creek,  by  which  Indians  live.  Here  we 
asked  the  Chippewas,  who  lay  here,  to  set  us  over,  who 
would  have  us  encamp  with  them,  for  they  wanted  to  put 
us  over  the  next  morning.  Meanwhile  Samuel  and  three 
other  brethren  had  swum  over,  and  gone  to  a  French 
trader,  a  mile  up  the  creek,  who  lent  us  his  batteau,  in 
which  we  very  soon  got  over,  and  then  encamped  in  the 
first  suitable  place.  Br.  David  went  to  the  trader  to  see  if 
he  could  get  a  horse  for  Susanna,  but  he  was  not  himself 
at  homo,  but  only  his  servants,  and  so  he  got  none. 

Sunday,  4.  We  lay  still  and  celebrated  Whitsuntide. 
Strange  Indians  from  the  Mousey  town,  one  or  two  miles 
from  us,  attended  the  sermon,  many,  friends  of  our  Indians 
who  were  visiting  us.  Here  we  heard  that  William  had 
been  here,  who  with  several  others  had  come  by  land  from 
Detroit,  and  now  came  here  from  Cuyahoga  to  see  if  he 
could  learn  any  thing  about  us.  The  Indians  told  them 
lies  enough,  saying  to  them  they  had  seen  a  ship  on  the 
lake  that  had  lost  her  masts,  and  that  they  saw  her  go 
down,  and  it  must  have  been  we.  William,  we  heard  fur- 
ther, had  gone  back  again  hunting.  In  the  evening  Heck- 
ewelder  came  to  us  with  the  rest  by  water,  so  that  we  were 
now  all  together.     We  heard  cannon  tired  on  our  island. 

Monday,  5.  We  set  out  again,  some  by  water,  and  Br. 
David,  with  those  who  went  by  land,  made  a  good  day's 
journey ;  they  had  to  pass  many  creeks,  over  which  we 
were  carried,  going  to-day  for  the  most  part  along  the 
strand,  and  we  came  at  night  to  where  the  steep  rocks  over- 
hang the  lake,  on  which  heights  we  encamped. 

Tuesday,  6.  Br.  David  hired  a  horse  from  an  Indian  for 
a  good  price,  that  we  should  have  had  yesterday  at  Pett- 


*The  Huron  River,  0.,  where  two  years  later,  near  the  present  Milan, 
Erie  Co.,  our  Indians  settled. 


276  zeisberger's  diary. 

qnotting,but  it  did  not  come,  so  that  Susanna,  who  thus  far 
has  had  to  go  afoot  the  whole  way  through  swamp  and 
water,  could  better  get  along,  though  even  on  horseback  it 
was  often  very  hard  travelling  through  the  dense  bush.  We 
went  over  a  very  deep  creek,^  where  the  canoes  helped  over 
those  who  were  going  by  land,  and  where  also  Chippewas 
lay.  We  encamped  here  and  the  Indians  went  out  hunt- 
ing, but  brought  back  only  some  wild  turkeys.  We  saw 
our  Mackina  far  out  in  the  lake  making  for  Cuj'ahoga,  and 
knew  her,  and  they  also  saw  our  white  tents.  We  wished 
her  good  luck.  Samuel,  who  went  yesterday  to  Cuyahoga 
to  see  if  he  could  find  any  of  our  people  or  whites,  came 
back,  having  met  no  one. 

Wednesday,  7.  Hitherto  for  the  most  part  we  have 
travelled  along  the  strand,  but  now  that  the  steep  rocks 
overhang  the  lake,  we  went  above  on  the  height  along  the 
lake,  and  saw  with  great  amazement  and  not  without  awe 
the  great  and  wonderful  works  of  the  Creator.  For  the 
rocks  stand  in  part  perpendicular  and  smooth,  like  a  wall, 
straight  upon  the  lake,  where  from  above  is  a  view  down 
into  the  depths  of  the  lake,  so  that  one  grows  giddy  as  he 
looks.  In  part  they  are  undermined,  and  so  little  black 
bays  run  up  into  the  land,  and  if  these  wei'e  not  here  they 
(the  undermined  places)  could  not  be  seen  from  the  land, 
but  only  from  the  lake.  On  the  rocks  are  streaks  of  dif- 
ferent colors,  in  a  line,  as  if  made  by  the  hand  of  man  by 
a  cord,  white,  red,  blue,  black,  yellow,  etc.  If  now  the 
wind  blows  from  the  lake  toward  the  rocks,  no  transport 
or  canoe  can  be  saved,  but  must  be  dashed  to  pieces.  They 
must,  therefore,  wait  for  wind  Jtnd  weather  suitable  for 
getting  by.  It  was  well  for  us  that  wind  and  weather  were 
favorable,  especially  for  them  who  went  by  water.  Those 
on  land  had  a  bad  road  to-day  all  day,  long,  wading 
through  swamp  and  water.  We  passed  another  large,  deep 
creek,  where  without  canoes  we  could  not  have  got  over, 
and  encamped  upon  the  rocky  height.     Heckewelder,  with 


^  Perhaps  Vermillion  River. 


JOURNEY   TO    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  277 

some  others,  was  ahead  of  us  and  Thomas,  who  came  by 
water  with  us. 

Thursday,  8.  As  the  horses  could  not  be  found,  Su- 
sanna had  again  to  go  afoot  till  noon,  when  we  came  over 
the  last  great  creek,  and  after  that  had  quite  a  good,  dry 
road.  Now  again,  after  four  years,  we  saw  mountains 
and  had,  the  pleasure  of  going  over  them.  We  came  in 
the  afternoon  to  Cuyahoga,  where  we  found  Ileckcwelder, 
who  this  morning  at  daybreak  had  passed  the  last  cliif 
with  good  lack  some  nine  miles  from  here,  where  in  a 
storm  or  even  in  a  strong  wind  no  cat  could  save  herself, 
and  where  in  the  last  war  Bradstreet  ^  with  his  army  was 
wrecked  and  many  people  left  in  the  lake.  Joshua,  who 
last  evening  came  upon  Chippewa  Indians,  who  also  wished 
to  go  on,  and  invited  him  to  go  with  them,  did  so.  These, 
when  they  came  to  this  dangerous  place,  offered  and  strewed 
tobacco  about  in  the  water,  so  as  to  get  by  successfully, 
and  this  is  always  their  custom.  lieckewelder  had  hardly 
got  into  the  river  this  morning,  when  a  wind  sprung  up 
and  a  canoe  which  lagged  behind  came  to  grief  from  the 
rocks  and  had  to  run  ashore.  It  was  broken  up,  but  all 
others  were  rescued.  Our  Mackina  day  before  yesterday 
had  already  arrived  in  good,  calm  weather,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  which  was  great  good  luck,  for  when  they 
sounded  and  found  on  the  bar  not  more  than  three  feet 
of  water,  there  was  no  possibility  of  getting  in.  The 
channel  was  stopped  up,  and  where  last  year  this  same 
sloop  came  in,  having  eight  feet  of  water,  there  is  this 
year  dry  land,  or  a  heap  of  sand  thrown  up  by  the  lake. 
The  captain  was  on  the  point  of  turning  back  to  Detroit 
without  lauding  the  baggage,  but  was  iinally  persuaded 
by  the  words  of  Brs.  Schebosh  and  Edwards  to  try  it,  and 
thus  with  much  trouble,  from  the  open  lake,  for  it  was  a 

^Col.  John  Bradstreet,  in  1764,  returning  from  his  expedition  against 
Detroit  and  other  French  posts,  came  to  trouble  here. 

"As  the  boats  of  the  army  were  opposite  the  iron-bound  precipices 
west  of  Cuyahoga,  a  storm  descended  upon  them,  destroying  several, 
and  throwing  the  whole  into  confusion.  For  three  days  the  tempest 
raged  unceasingly."     Tayler's  Hist,  of  Ohio,  p.  144. 


278  zeisberger's  diary. 

good  mile  from  land,  they  brought  every  thing  ashore  at 
last.  Had  it  not  been  calm,  it  could  not  have  been  done. 
The  sloop  had  to  put  back  into  the  lake.  After  she  was 
unloaded  and  lightened  she  made  another  trial  and  came 
into  the  harbor  all  right,  though  with  trouble  enongh,  that 
she  might  be  out  of  danger  from  a  storm.  Now  it  became 
somewhat  clear  to  us  why  we  had  to  stay  so  long  on  the 
island,  and  could  not  get  away  until  at  last  things  so  fell 
out  that  we  had  to  make  quite  a  different  tour,  for  both 
ships  and  we  too  would  have  come  to  grief  or  we  should 
all  have  had  to  put  back  to  Detroit.  Last  year  the  cap- 
tain came  in  here  with  this  same  sloop,  and  had  eight  feet 
of  water  on  the  bar,  where  now  are  only  three  feet.  We 
could  not  but  be  thankful  to  the  Saviour  that  all  had 
gone  well  with  us,  that  we  like  children  were  carefully 
watched  over  here  on  earth. 

Friday,  9.  Our  Indians  went  out  hunting  and  came 
upon  deer  and  elk  enough,  but  none  brought  any  thing 
back,  though  we  much  needed  something,  and  many  had 
nothing  left  to  eat.  We  had  good  hope  of  finding  white 
people  here,  who  could  have  helped  us  with  provisions, 
but  when  we  sought  we  found  no  one;  there  was  a  house 
stored  with  flour,  intended  for  Detroit,  but  there  was  no 
one  with  it,  and  we  knew  not  what  to  think.  We  resolved 
for  the  first  thing  to  make  canoes,  most  of  them  of  bark, 
and  as  soon  as  possible  to  get  away  from  here  and  to  go 
up  the  creek  to  find  out  how  far  we  could  go,  and  if  we 
should  come  upon  old  fields,  to  consider  whether  we  should 
plant  something.  Thomas  with  his  family  who  was  behind, 
and  whom  the  storm  fell  upon,  gave  up  his  canoe  and 
came  here  by  land.  We  then  on  the  10th  all  set  about 
making  canoes,  To-day  a  deer  came  into  camp,  which 
was  divided  among  us  all. 

Sunday,  11.  As  soon  as  day  broke  we  helped  the 
Mackina  out  of  the  river  and  brought  her  fortunately 
over  the  bar,  though  she  often  stuck  on  the  sand,  and  we 
left  her  a  mile  from  shore  out  of  all  danger,  when  she  got 
under  sail;  this  was  the  captain's  greatest  trouble,  and  he 
often  said  he  feared  he  would  have  to  give  up  the  ship. 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  279" 

We  were  ourselves  right  glad  and  thankfal  to  the  Saviour 
that  all  had  passed  oft'  so  well  and  without  damage.  He 
could  not  permit  the  Detroiters  to  suft'er  any  loss  or  harm 
on  our  account.  It  rained  all  day  to-day  very  hard,  as  it 
has  every  day  since  we  got  here.  We  are  also  very  thank- 
ful to  the  Saviour  for  the  fine  weather  he  gave  us  on  our 
journey  since  we  left  the  island. 

Monday,  12.  Our  people  made  canoes.  Hunger  begins 
to  fall  sharply  upon  us.  May  the  Saviour  soon  help  us 
out  of  our  need !  Chippewas  came  to  us,  who  have  been 
hunting  along  the  lake;  they  went  and  took  away  secretly 
many  horse-loads  of  flour  from  that  stored  in  the  house 
above  us.  No  one  of  our  people  took  any  of  it,  though 
they  have  much  want  and  suft'er  hunger. 

Tuesday,  13.  Wrote  to  Bethlehem  by  Schebosh,  who 
is  going  to  Pittsburg,  and  on  the  14th  to  Pittsburg  to 
Duncan  and  Gibson. 

Thursday,  15.  Heckewelder  made  a  beginning,  and  set 
out  with  several  families  that  had  canoes,  and  on  the  16th 
Br.  David  started  with  a  party,  and  on  the  17th  overtook 
the  former.  The  first  day  we  had  still  water,  and  good 
travelling,  but  the  second  day  bad,  for  the  creek  was  full 
of  falls,  and  the  fnrther  we  went,  the  worse  it  was.  Br. 
Edwards  remained  behind  with  the  last  to  depart. 

Sunday,  18.  We  came  to  an  old  Ottawa  town,  where 
we  stopped  to  examine  the  neighborhood.  We  considered 
what  would  be  best  for  us,  and  found  that  we  and  our  In- 
dians could  not  hold  out  to  keep  up  our  journey  as  we  had 
thought,  namely,  to  come  to  Thuppekiink,  where  we 
had  thought  of  planting  yet.  We  saw  that  we  should  yet 
have  several  day's  labor,  that  our  people  had  nothing  to 
eat,  and  we  dared  not  then  think  of  planting.  We  re- 
solved, therefore,  to  stay  here  this  summer,  when  our  mat- 
ters would  become  clearer,  for  at  present  we  are  confused, 
and  know  not  rightly  how  things  are  with  us.  We  laid 
out  our  camp  upon  the  east  side  of  the  creek,  upon  a 
height,  and  the  day  after, 

Monday,  19,  we  sowed  the  land  on  the  west  side,  where 
we  wished  to  plant,  and  found  good  and,  in  part,  quite 


280  zeisberger's  diary. 

clear  land  tor  this  purpose,  only  it  was  very  wild,  the  weeds 
standing  as  high  as  a  man,  which  we  had  to  cut  down, 
thus  having  much  trouble  and  labor. 

Tuesday,  20.  All  our  Indian  brethren  came  here,  and 
we  were  now  all  together.  All  were  busy  building  them- 
selves huts  hastily,  for  it  had  rained  every  day  since  we 
broke  up  from  the  lake,  and  they  began  at  the  same  time 
to  clear  the  land  and  to  plant.  In  the  evening  we  had  a 
service  for  praising  and  thanking  the  Lord  for  all  his  good- 
ness in  this  new  place. 

Wednesday,  21.  White  people  came  through  with  a 
hundred  pack-horses  laden  with  corn  and  provisions,  from 
Pittsburg,  on  their  way  to  the  mouth  of  the  river,  from 
whom  we  managed  to  buy  some  flour,  and  they  told  us  they 
should  continue  the  whole  summer  to  bring  on  provisions 
for  Detroit,  and  we  could  thus  get  all  we  wanted.  They 
asked  for  a  couple  of  Indians  for  a  couple  of  days,  to  find 
out  for  them  the  way  to  the  lake,  and  these  were  given 
them. 

Saturday,  24.  We  were,  for  the  most  part,  done  with 
planting,  as  much  as  we  could  do  at  this  time.  The  In- 
dians were  quite  lucky  hunting,  shot  deer  and  bears;  they 
needed  them  too,  and  got  them  in  the  nick  of  time. 

Sunday,  25.  Wrote  to  Bethlehem  by  the  pack-horse 
men  who  came  back  through  here.  Br.  Heckewelder  held 
service.  Some  Indians  also  went  to  Pittsburg  to  buy  cows 
and  drive  them  here. 

Monday,  26.  Weschnasch  out  hunting  came  through 
here,  remaining  over  night,  and  thus  many  lies  were  spread 
among  our  people,  among  others,  that  the  Cherokees 
wanted  to  come  and  kill  us,  likewise  on  account  of  our 
moving  to  the  Muskingum,  yet  many  Indians  were 
against  it. 

Wednesday,  28.  A  white  man,  one  of  the  pack-horse 
men,  who  got  lost  while  looking  for  horses,  and  had  Avan- 
dered  about  three  days  and  nights,  came  at  last  to  us.  We 
gave  him  to  eat  and  provisions  for  his  journey,  whereupon 
he  went  to  Pittsburg.  He  could  not  say  enough  as  to  how 
many  bears  he  had  found  in    the   wild-cherry  trees,   the 


ON   THE   CUYAHOGA,  1786.  281 

cherries  being  now  ripe,  two  and  three  in  one  tree,  and  our 
Indians  resolved  to  go  at  once  for  them. 

Friday,  30.  We  early  learned  a  sad  circumstance, 
Thomas,  who  was  scalped  (at  Gnadenhlitten,  March  8, 
1782),  went  down  the  creek  fishing,  day  before  yesterday, 
and  when  he  remained  out  over  night,  it  was  supposed  he 
had  gone  down  to  the  lake.  This  morning  Jacob  went  down 
the  creek,  where  he  shot  a  deer,  and  found  his  canoe, 
which  had  floated  down,  but  not  him.  But  when  search 
was  made,  he  was  found  dead  in  the  water.  Since  he  was 
scalped,  he  has  often  had  tits,  and  this  was  doubtless  the 
cause  of  his  death,  for  he  was  one  of  the  best  swimmers. 
He  came  from  the  Shawanese  towns  to  us  on  the  Huron 
River,  loved  the  brothers,  and  wished  not  to  remain 
among  the  savages;  this  he  often  said  to  Br.  David,  that 
he  would  like  to  be  with  us.  He  was  buried  here  the 
next  day.  Abraham,  with  others,  who  wished  to  go  to 
Pettquotting  to  get  corn,  and  for  some  days,  from  stormy 
weather,  lay  by  the  lake,  waiting  for  good  weather,  came 
back  again,  having  accomplished  nothing,  and  with  him 
two  white  people  from  Detroit,  on  their  way  to  Pittsburg, 
who  remained  with  us  over  nis^ht.  We  heard  from  them 
that  many  white  people  lived  in  our  town  on  the  Pluron 
River,  English  and  French,  but  that  it  was  a  perfect  nest 
of  drunkards. 

Saturday,  July,  i.  All  our  Indian  brethren  went  off  on 
the  bear-hunt.  A  party  of  Chippewas,  among  whom  was 
a  chief,  came  up  the  creek,  and  encamped  near  by  us. 
They  came  h6re  from  a  hundred  miles  beyond  Michili- 
mackinac,  and  intended  going  to  Pittsburg  ;  they  were  or- 
derly and  friendly. 

Sunday,  2.  Isaac  Williams  came  with  an  English- 
man and  a  Frenchman  from  Sandusky,  in  order  to  go  to 
Pittsburg  with  the  next  pack-horses,  for  which  he  would 
wait  here.  He  had  heard  that  we  came  over  the  lake 
and  passed  by  Sandusky,  and  had  wished  to  see  some  one  of 
us,  to  give  us  a  little  news,  that  we  might  act  accordingly, 
and  not  come  to  harm  and  into  difiiculties,  for  he  was 
troubled  about  us,  lest  we  might  continue  our  march  to 


282  zeisberger's  diary. 

the  Muskingum,  and  it  would  not  be  well  for  us  so  to  do. 
He  had  heard  among  the  Indians  that  they  had  spoken 
much  against  our  moving  there,  since  it  was  not  yet  time, 
and  since  even  this  last  May,  in  Thuppekiink,  traders  have 
been  plundered  and  murdered.  We  thought  not  a  little 
about  this,  as  we  lay  on  our  island  in  the  lake,  what  might 
be  the  reason  that  we  could  not  go  forward ;  we  believed 
the  Saviour,  whose  own  we  are,  who  certainly  thinks  of 
us,  and  to  whom  it  is  not  a  matter  of  indifference  how 
things  go  with  us,  must  have  his  own  reasons  for  this, 
and  so  it  was;  this  we  saw  and  felt  afterwards.  Had  our 
passage  in  the  ship  been  ordinarily  good  and  quick,  we 
should  certainly  have  gone  straight  to  the  massacre  on  the 
Muskingum,  and  have  had  a  bad  welcome,  but,  through 
our  long  voyage,  our  time  was  so  used  up,  that,  for  this 
reason,  with  other  circumstances  added  thereto,  we  had 
to  give  up  this  plan,  and  we  resolved  to  pass  the  summer 
here,  which  was  certainly  for  the  time  being  best  and 
safest  for  us.  The  Indians,  as  it  seems,  are  not  opposed 
to  our  going  again  to  our  towns,  only  they  say  it  is  not 
yet  time,  since  there  is  yet  no  thorough  peace  among  them, 
and  many,  if  not  the  most,  still  await  a  new  war.  They 
are  not  opposed  to,  as  far  as  we  hear,  but  are  quite  in 
favor  of,  our  remaining  here,  and  no  one  will  put  any 
thing  in  our  way.  We  are  here  so  out  of  the  way  that  no 
Indians  come  here  except  those  who  are  out  hunting,  or 
those  who  wish  to  visit  us. 

Monday,  3.  Br.  Schebosh  came  back  from  Pittsburg 
with  Andrew,  his  companion, bringing  orders  from  Messrs. 
Duncan  &  Wilson,  to  their  agent  at  the  mouth  of  the 
creek,  to  let  us  have  every  thing  we  needed  on  credit,  or 
for  cash,  on  which  account,  in  all  probability,  he  had  gone 
there.  He  brought  us  the  packet  of  letters,  Avhich  Mr. 
Duncan,  who  in  the  winter  w^as  in  Detroit,  had  forgotten, 
and  also  the  Scripture-verses  for  this  year.  To  be  sure, 
the  letters  were  partly  two  years  old,  and  partly  of  last 
year,  but  to  us  they  were  new,  pleasant,  and  cheering. 
We  had  news,  however,  that  a  packet  for  us  had  gone  to 
Detroit,  which  Isaac  Williams  would  have  liked  to  stop  iu 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  283 

Sandusky  and  send  to  us,  but  could  not ;  we  were  sorry 
for  this,  for  they  may  readily  be  lost.  They  could  not 
have  come  to  Duncan  or  Wilson,  or  we  should  certainly 
have  had  them. 

Tuesday,  4.  We  sent  a  canoe  down  to  the  lake  with 
Duncan's  order  to  his  agent.  The  next  day  they  came 
back,  bringing  first  ten  sacks  of  flour  for  the  Indians, 
charged  against  Mr.  Askin's  bill  of  exchange  for  two  hun- 
dred dollars,  so  that  the  Indians  now  have  something  to 
eat. 

Thursday,  6.  The  flour  was  divided  among  the  breth- 
ren. Peter,  Renatus,  and  those  who  had  come  with  them 
from  Detroit  with  the  horses  by  land,  and  had  staid  for 
some  time  hunting  in  Thuppekiink,  came  to  us.  They 
had  heard  of  our  arrival  here  from  two  Indians,  who  had 
come  hither  with  us  from  Pettquotting,  and  made  their 
way  to  us.  They  knew  of  the  massacre  which  had  taken 
place  there,  not  far  from  them. 

Friday,  7.  William  went  to  the  fort  to  get  provisions 
there  with  his  horses. 

Saturday,  8.  This  week  our  Indian  brethren  were  busy 
building,  and  the  sisters  in  the  fields.  We  hold  our  serv- 
ices in  the  open  air  when  the  weather  is  good. 

Sunday,  9.  We  kept  Sunday  quietly  for  the  most  part, 
and  enjoyed  the  rest  we  need  through  our  heavy  and  hard 
labor.     Had  service. 

Monday,  10.  Goschachgiink  Delawares  came  here  from 
the  Shawanese  towns,  from  whom  we  heard  that  the  In- 
dians did  not  yet  know  where  we  remained,  that  they  had 
heard  of  our  sailing  away  from  Detroit,  but  since,  after  so 
long  a  time,  they  could  hear  nothing  of  us,  they  believed 
we  had  all  gone  to  the  bottom,  that,  at  last,  they  learned 
from  the  Ottawas  that  two  ships  had  foundered  on  the 
lake,  from  which  all  the  Indians  inferred  that  it  must  have 
been  we  ;  that  they  finally  heard  we  had  passed  Sandusky, 
but  nothing  further  as  to  where  we  had  come  and  re- 
mained, but  that  all  the  Indians  wished  us  not  to  go  to 
the  Muskingum  for  the  time  being,  but  to  remain  in  Cuy- 
ahoga, since  there  was  yet  no  stable  peace.     From  this  we 


284  zeisberger's  diart. 

perceive  it  will  be  pleasant  for  all  the  Indians  tliat  we 
stay  here.  A  trader  from  the  States,  whose  friends  per- 
ished on  the  Muskingum,  came  here  through  the  Shawa- 
nese  towns  on  his  way  to  Pittsburg,  whom  the  Cherokees 
and  Mingoes  are  on  the  track  of,  and  in  that  way  we  may 
have  trouble  from  them. 

Thursdaj^  13.  I  wrote  by  Isaac  Williams,  who  went  to 
Pittsburg,  to  the  commandant  there,  Col.  Hermann,^  tell- 
ing him  our  arrival,  and,  at  the  same  time,  our  want  of 
food,  and  recommending  us  to  his  protection,  since  we  are 
now  again  come  into  this  land. 

Saturday,  15.  ISTow  comes  again  all  the  usual  trouble, 
with  which  hitherto  we  have  had  to  contend  in  the  Indian 
land,  though,  during  the  few  years  we  were  at  the  north 
side  of  the  lake,  we  had  none  of  it,  until  now  that  we 
are  come  here  again,  namely,  that  the  savages,  friends  of 
our  Indians,  come  and  seduce  weak,  often  confused,  minds, 
and  lead  them  from  the  church,  as  we  had,  to-da}'",  an  ex- 
ample. Strange  Indians  came  and  enticed  away  from  her 
husband  a  woman  with  her  children,  for  she  was  poor 
here,  had  nothing  to  eat,  and  was  starving;  they  told  her 
that  if  she  would  go  with  them,  she  would  want  for  noth- 
ing. Her  husband,  who  could  very  well  have  taken  away 
the  children,  from  vexation  gave  them  all  up  and  let  them 
go.  He  repented  of  this  afterwards,  and  wished  to  have 
back,  at  least,  his  children.  We  gave  him  two  courage- 
ous brothers,  and  they  went  the  next  day, 

Sunday,  16,  to  get  them.  They  brought  her  in  on  the 
17th,  and  she  was  glad  to  be  back  again.  It  has  happened 
to  us  in  several  cases  that  those  who  have  been  seduced 
from  the  church  and  again  brought  back,  have  become 
afterwards  dear  and  firm  brethren.  Withstand  the  devil 
and  he  flees  from  you.  David  held  service  in  Indian. 
15th  (marginal  note)  Capt.  Godrey,  who  came  in  the 
Mackina  to  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  inquired  about  our 
condition  through  one  of  his  sailors,  who  came  here  and 


^Thus  plainly  written  in  the  original,  but  probably  Gen'l  Harmar  is 
meant. 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  285 

stayed  over  night.  After  she  left  us  and  went  away,  she 
was  driven  from  her  course  to  Fort  Erie. 

Monday,  17.  There  came  strange  Monsey  Indians  here 
for  a  visit.  They  came  first  upon  Br.  David  quite  alone 
on  his  plantation.  He  sat  down  with  them,  and  they 
asked  him  many  questions;  for  example,  whether  we 
should  move  to  Thuppeklink,  and  how  many  white  breth- 
ren there  were,  and  whether  David  was  there,  of  whom 
they  [must  have  heard,  though  they  did  not  know  him. 
These  were  Indians  who,  daring  the  war,  had  been  in 
Niagara,  and  did  not  know  us.  They  went  into  town,  or 
rather  into  camp,  and  asked  the  Indian  brothers  to  preach 
to  them  and  tell  them  about  the  Saviour,  saying  they  had 
never  heard  about  this.  This  was  done,  and  the  next  day 
they  went  back  to  the  lake,  whence  they  had  come.  18th. 
The  Indian  brother,  Samuel,  with  others,  came  back  from 
Pittsburg.  We  got  letters  from  Br.  Matthew,^  of  Litiz, 
of  Sept.,  1783.  They  also  brought  with  them  one  of  our 
Indians,  Michael  by  name,  from  his  wandering.  They 
met  him  in  the  bush.  He  was  glad,  indeed,  to  see  us,  and 
at  once  asked  permission  to  live  with  us,  and  this  was 
granted.]^ 

Thursday,  20.  Pack-horses  came  from  Pittsburg  with 
flour.  We  got  for  ourselves  and  our  Indians  nineteen 
casks.  Michael  spoke  with  Br.  David,  asking  to  be  re- 
ceived again,  and  we  cheerfully  complied  with  his  request. 
We  laborers  had  a  conference  about  arrangements  for  our 
place  of  abode,  and  consulted  the  Saviour  by  lot,  and  we 
had  for  the  time  being  to  come  to  no  conclusion,  yet  we 
laid  out  a  road  from  the  town,  that  in  building  we  might 
make  no  waste. 

Friday,  21.     Most  of  the  brethren  went  out  elk-hunting. 

Sunday,  23.  Br.  David  preached  from  Romans,  vi,  3: 
Know  ye  not  that  so  many  of  us  as  were  baptized  into 
Jesus  Christ,  were  baptized  into  his  death?  Pack-horse 
men  went  back,  by  whom  we  sent  letters  to  Bethlehem 

*  The  venerable  Bishop  Hehl. 

*  Passage  in  brackets  is  from  Beth.  MS. 


286  zeisberger's  diary. 

and  Litiz.    They  encamped  not  far  from  us,  and  had  stolen 
from  them  last  night  by  the  Indians  nine  horses. 

Monday,  24.  Done  with  hilling  the  corn,  which  stands 
very  fine. 

Tuesday,  25.  Indian  brothers  came  from  the  hunt,  hav- 
ing shot  four  elk  and  five  deer.  Susanna,  who  went  away 
yesterday,  came  back  to-day.  All  sowed  turnips  and 
many.  "We  have  service  every  evening,  when  it  does  not 
rain. 

Friday,  28.  William  came  from  the  Fort.  We  had 
hoped  for  letters,  but  he  brought  none,  and  our  things 
are  still  there,  too. 

Saturday,  29.  Several  brethren  went  by  water  to  Pet- 
quotting,  others  to  Sandusky  to  get  corn  ;  others  again  ofi" 
hunting,  and  so  must  strive  to  get  their  families  through. 
Heckewelder  held  service.  Cathrine  went  to  her  hus- 
band. 

Sunday,  30.  David  preached,  and  as  it  rained  in  the 
afternoon  there  was  no  other  meeting.  We  read  mean- 
time the  Bethlehem  Diary. 

Monday,  31.  Several  went  away  hunting.  The  Chip- 
pewa chief  here  in  our  neighborhood,  with  some  women 
and  children,  visits  us  daily  to  get  something  to  eat,  for 
all  their  men  have  gone  to  Pittsburg,  and  they  who  are 
here  have  nothing  to  eat  and  we  have  little  ourselves,  but 
when  they  come  we  always  give  them  something  to  eat. 
We  ended  the  month  with  consideration  of  our  Scripture- 
verse. 

Tuesday,  Aug.  1.     There  was  a  thunder-storm. 

Wednesday,  2.  Samuel  and  several  others  went  out 
hunting  and  to  boil  salt,  their  families  with  them.  Very 
few  remained  at  home.  A  Grerman  from  Hedstone  (Fay- 
ette Co.,  Pa.)  came  here,  who  has  been  for  some  time  in 
Detroit  and  last  in  Sandusky.  He  had  fever  and  noth- 
ing to  eat.  He  will  wait  here  for  a  chance  to  go  to  Pitts- 
burg.    David  held  service  in  the  evening. 

Thursday,  3.  Mr.  Neal,  from  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
came  here.  He  complained  that  the  Indians  who  come 
here  are  very  insolent  and  he  feared  they  might  kill  him. 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  287 

On  this  account  he  will  not  stay  there  longer,  but  go  back 
to  Pittsburg  with  the  pack-horses  the  next  trip. 

Friday,  4.  The  Chippewas  came,  who  have  been  to 
Pittsburg,  leaving  their  wives  and  children  here.  They 
had  nothing  but  good  news  to  give.  The  most  noteworthy 
was  that  the  Chippewas,  Ottawas,  Potawatomies,  Wyan. 
dots,  and  Delaware  nation  have  concluded  a  stable  peace 
with  the  Americans,  only  two  who  did  not  wish  it  being  ex- 
cluded, the  Shawanese  and  Cherokees.  The  Six  Nations, 
however,  wanted  to  put  them  in  and  force  them  to  agree. 

Saturday,  5.  Several  Chippewas  were  present  at  our 
evening  service,  quite  devout,  but  it  is  a  pity  we  cannot 
speak  directly  to  them.  There  are  many  among  them  who 
understand  Shawano,  and  one  can  speak  with  them  in  case 
of  need,  but  this  is  not  enough.  Thej^  are  much  better 
Indians  to  get  along  Avith  than  the  Delawarcs,  Wyandots, 
and  Tawas,  also  not  so  thievish,  nor  are  they  plunderers. 

Sunday,  6.  Heckewelder  preached  and  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse.  The  Chip- 
pewas, who  have  been  encaixiped  here  as  long  as  we,  went 
away  to-day  down  to  the  lake.  We  read  together  the 
Bethlehem  Diary. 

Monday,  7.  Wittigo,  with  two  white  people  and  some 
Wyandots  from  Sandusky  Bay,  went  through  here  on  their 
way  to  Fort  Pitt. 

Tuesday,  8.  The  sick  German,  who  came  here  sick  six 
days  ago,  and  now  is  better,  started  for  Fort  Pitt. 

Wednesday,  9.  Joshua  came  from  the  Fort.  The  Pitts- 
burgers,  as  we  hear,  have  great  pity  for  us,  and  consider 
together  how  they  can  help  us  and  our  Indians  in  our  fam- 
ine until  orders  come  from  Congress,  which  would  delay 
too  long  if  they  should  now  first  make  the  announcement 
there.  They  spoke  with  Joshua  about  this,  and  must 
gladly  help  us.  Our  brethren  suflor  great  hunger;  this 
can  be  seen  in  their  faces,  and  this  depresses  their  spirits 
much.  We  cannot  but  pity  them,  but  we  cannot  help 
them,  for  we  have  nothing  ourselves.  An  Indian  said  to 
him  we  should  be  called  away  from  here,  and  then  all  the 
white  brethren   be  sent  away  home,  except  David,  who 


288  zeisbekger's  diary. 

would  remain  ;  he  belonged  to  the  Monsey  nation,  who 
adopted  him. 

Thursday,  10,  and  Friday,  11.  There  was  speaking  in 
reference  to  the  Lord's  supper.  To  our  comfort  and 
heartfelt  thankfulness  to  the  Saviour,  we  found  the 
brethren  cheerful  and  content,  with  a  hearty  longing  for 
Jesus'  body  and  blood  in  the  holy  sacrament,  which  now 
we  have  not  had  for  nearly  five  months,  since  Easter  on 
the  Huron  River,  and  since  we  have  been  here,  from  the 
want  of  a  chapel,  for  the  Indian  brethren  have  enough  to 
do  to  support  and  maintain  their  families  by  hunting,  and 
they  cannot  be  expected  to  work  until  we  have  something 
to  eat  from  our  plantations. 

Saturday,  12.  Contrary  to  our  expectations,  many 
brethren  were  at  home  who  had  been  to  Pettquotting 
for  corn,  whence  indeed  they  brought  some,  though  not 
much.  We  had  thereupon,  upon  the  13th,  a  very  blessed 
communion.  This  gave  the  brethren  new  courage.  The 
body  and  blood  of  our  dear  Lord  revived  their  hearts 
anew,  so  that  we  gave  ourselves  up  again  to  be  entirely 
his  own,  to  live  for  his  joy.  Owing  to  rain  we  could  have 
to-day  no  general  meeting. 

Monday,  14,  Some  went  agabi  by  lake  to  Sandusky  to 
get  corn  where  there  is  said  to  be  much.  Since  we  heard 
that  letters,  which  had  gone  to  Detroit  in  the  spring,  on  ac- 
count of  which  we  wrote  there,  were  come  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  we  sent  there  to  get  them  and  received  them. 
There  was  a  letter  from  Br.  Schweinitz,  of  May  4th,  this 
year,  together  with  a  little  book  of  Scripture-verses  and 
texts  for  this  year.  The  packet  had  been  opened,  but  not 
the  letters,  and  a  calendar  and  two  papers  were  missing, 
according  to  the  letters. 

Tuesday,  15.  Brs.  Heckewelder,  Edwards,  and  two  In- 
dian brothers,  went  to  Old  Cuyahoga,  where  they  waited 
for  Mr,  Wilson,  with  cattle,  to  buy  some  of  them  and 
drive  them  here.     Service  in  the  evening. 

Wednesday,  16.  A  party  of  sisters  went  again  to  the 
Lick  to  boil  salt,  where  Messrs.  Duncan  and  Wilson  sent 
many  kettles,  which  they  offered  to  our  Indians  to  use. 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,  1786.  289 

Thursday,  17.  Heckewelder  and  Edwards  came  back 
with  cattle  they  had  got  from  Mr.  Wilson,  who  came 
himself  afterwards,  on  the  18th,  remained  over  night 
with  us,  and  on  the  19th  went  down  to  the  lake  on  busi- 
ness. He  said  we  had  done  well  in  staying  here  and  not 
going  to  the  Muskingum;  thinks  also  that  it  would  not 
be  advisable  to  move  there  in  the  spring  or  next  year,  for 
well-grounded  reasons.  Mr.  Hutchins,  with  his  surveyors 
and  people,  is  out  to  measure  and  declare  the  boundary 
between  the  land  of  the  States  and  of  the  Indians.  It  is 
generally  believed  that  the  undertaking  will  cause  un- 
easiness among  the  Indians  and  indeed  much  mur- 
dering  and  killing  sooner  or  later.  Thus  it  is  truly  best  we 
are  far  away.  He  says  we  have  hit  the  best  place  on  this 
creek,  where  the  most  excellant  land  lies,  for  he  is  well 
acquainted  here. 

18.  Mr.  JsTeal  came  here,  from  whom  we  learn  this:  a 
royal  boat,  with  an  officer  and  eight  soldiers,  had  come 
there  (the  mouth  of  the  river).  He,  who  knows  us  and 
has  been  with  us  on  the  Huron  River,  wanted  to  visit  us, 
but  when  he  heard  he  could  not  get  here  in  his  boat, 
he  gave  up  the  plan.  By  a  letter  from  Mr.  Askin,  of  an 
old  date,  when  we  had  hardly  left  the  island,  we  learned 
that  the  commandant  had  sent  another  ship  with  provis- 
ions to  the  islands,  which  was  to  bring  us  and  our  belong- 
ings to  Cuyahoga,  but  had  not  found  us. 

Sunday,  20.  Heckewelder  preached  in  the  forenoon, 
and  baptized  the  little  son  of  Br.  Adam  and  his  wife, 
Sabina,  born  yesterday,  Augustus.  We  brethren,  the 
laborers,  read  the  journals,  Br.  Reichel's  discourse  at  the 
end  of  the  year  '82  and  beginning  of  '83,  also  about  the 
captivity  of  Brs.  Jorde  and  Pfeifier  upon  the  English 
king's  ship,  and  finally  the  release  of  the  first,  of  all  which 
we  had  never  heard  a  word.  Br.  Edwards  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse:  I  have  de- 
clared and  have  saved.  Jesus,  how  shall  I  thank  thee. 
I  acknowledge  that  my  salvation  rests  with  thee. 

Wednesday,  23.  We  got  at  last,  by  the  pack-horses,  the 
19 


290  zeisberger's  diary. 

things  sent  by  the  church  for  us  and  the  Indian  church; 
all  their  things  have  come,  and  nothing  is  destroyed,  but 
our  things  were  in  part  destroyed,  and  in  part  much  was 
wanting,  and  doubtless  much  was  lost  on  the  way  here 
from  Pittsburg.  These,  on  Thursday,  the  24th,  were  dis- 
tributed among  the  brethren,  and  awakened  generally 
much  joy  and  thankfulness,  after  they  had  first  been  told 
that  the  brethren  in  Bethlehem  alreadythreeyears  ago,  upon 
hearing  of  the  loss  they  had  suffered,  and  of  the  want  in 
which  they  were,  had  thought  of  them  and  sent  them  these 
things  for  their  bodies'  needs,  while  we  were  over  the  lake, 
but  since  they  could  not  come  to  Detroit,  the  brethren  had 
found  another  way,  getting  them  back  and  sending  them 
to  Pittsburg,  and  now  at  last  we  had  them.  Many  brothers 
came  forward  and  expressed  their  thankfulness.  Some 
said  :  "  We  are  not  worthy  that  the  brethren  in  Bethlehem 
should  have  so  much  love  for  us,  and  think  about  us  ef- 
ficaciously. We  are  not  worthy  of  having  teachers  given  us, 
to  whom  we  have  so  often  caused  much  trouble."  Others 
again  said  :  "  ISTone  of  the  white  people  would  have  given 
themselves  so  much  trouble  to  send  things  such  a  long  way 
and  forward  them  to  us,  except  the  brothers;  they  would 
have  given  them  up  and  let  them  be.  We  see  that  it  has 
been  to  them  a  matter  of  concern,  and  has  cost  them  much 
trouble  to  do  us  good." 

Friday,  25.  Brs.  Schebosh  and  Edwards  went  down  to 
the  lake  on  business,  some  Indian  brethren  to  Pettquotting 
and  Sandusky. 

Saturday,  26.  Brs.  Schebosh  and  Edwards  returned 
from  the  lake. 

Sunday,  27.  David  preached  about  the  saving  Gospel 
Paul  had  preached  to  the  heathen,  that  the  word  of  our 
Saviour's  death  upon  the  cross  is  the  strength  of  God 
to  all  those  who  receive  it  in  faith.  We  laborers  con- 
tinued our  reading  of  the  Bethlehem  diary  of  '83,  which 
we  ended  to-day.  Br.  Edwards  held  the  congregation 
meeting. 

Monday,  28.  The  salt-boilers  all  came  back  from  the 
Lick,  and  some   came  from    the    Fort.     Samuel    had,  in 


li 


ON   THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  291 

both  places,  met  some  of  our  Indians,  from  whom  he 
heard  that  not  only  they,  but  many  others,  wished  to 
come  to  us,  who  for  a  long  time  already  had  only  been 
waiting  till  Ave  should  again  have  come  to  this  side 
of  the  lake.  Among  them  he  met  one  named  Anton. 
He  said  to  Samuel :  "  Thou  hast  been  with  our  teach- 
ers these  four  years  they  have  been  away  from  us,  or 
near  them,  therefore  I  think  thou  knowest  them  well, 
and  canst  tell  me  the  truth  about  them."  Samuel  an- 
swered him:  "Yes,  indeed;  I  know  them  right  well, 
and   if    now   first    I   might    hear   from   thee    what   thou  • 

willst  particularly  hear,  perhaps  I  can  tell  thee."  Theu 
said  Anton  :  "  I  have  had  thoughts  about  our  teachers,  of 
which  I  cannot  get  rid,  and  if  I  do  drive  them  from  my 
mind  they  always  come  back  again,  namely,  I  think  that 
they  are  the  cause,  and  have  given  occasion  that  so  many 
of  our  friends  perished  in  Gnadenhutten ;  they  have  be-  lij 

trayed  us,  giving  notice  to  the  white  people  of  our  being 
there,  whereupon  they  came  and  fell  upon  us.  I^ow,  tell 
me  the  truth,  is  it  so  or  not?  Thou  must  necessarily  know 
about  them."  Samuel  said:  "I  must  first  ask  thee  one 
thing  before  I  answer.  Art  thou  right  in  mind?  If  thou 
art  failing  there,  I  would  rather  answer  thee  nothing."  "  I 
am  of  good  understanding,  thereof  thou  needst  not  doubt, 
aud  so  I  should  be  glad  to  know  thy  thoughts  about  this." 
Samuel  said  to  him  then:  "Thou  thinkest  so,  indeed,  but 
I  say  to  thee  the  truth,  thou  thinkest  falselj^  and  thou 
makest  against  our  teachers  accusations  of  which  they  are 
innocent ;  this  I  know  certainly,  for  I  know  them."  Then 
Anton  farther  said  :  "  I  have  ever  now,  all  the  time,  a 
wicked  heart,  and  so  I  think  badly  and  wickedly ;  as  thou  ||j 

seest  from  looking  at  me,  so  is  my  heart  also."  He  was 
painted  red  all  over,  and  said  farther  :  "  What  does  it  help 
or  profit  me  if  I  deceive  myself  by  outward  show,  and  ^1 

make  myself  like  a  believer,  when  yet  my  heart  is  bad  ? 
In  spite  of  this  I  will  yet  soon  visit  you,  aud  then  also 
greet  our  teachers.  Thou  canst  meanwhile  greet  them 
from  me  and  tell  them  what  I  have  said  to  thee,  and  how 
thou  hast  seen   me."     He  had  in  Gnadenhutten,  by  the 


292  zeisberger's  diary. 

massacre,  lost  all  his  children,  and  almost  all  his  friends, 
but  he  had  himself  gone  away  from  them  secretly  to  Pitts- 
burg, saying  nothing  about  it  to  any  one,  whereby  he  es- 
caped the  massacre,  where  he,  but  without  shoes  and 
almost  naked  and  destitute,  had  fled,  when  the  militia  had 
fallen  upon  the  Indians  there  and  murdered  some  of  them. 

30.  At  the  service  from  the  Scripture-verse,  Br.  David 
made  an  earnest  exhortation  to  the  brethren  on  account 
of  the  bad  course  they  lead  -ui^ien  away. 

31.  Sisters  went  to  Sandusky  to  get  corn  and  harvest 
the  fields  given  them  by  their  friends.^ 

Friday,  Sept.  1.  Edwards  held  the  evening  service 
from  the  Scripture-verse:  Upon  his  kingdom  to  establish 
it  with  justice. 

Sunday,  3.  David  preached  from  the  Epistle  2,  Cor. 
iii.,  4,  about  this,  that  of  ourselves  we  can  neither  think 
nor  do  what  is  good  but  that  God  gives  us  power  therefor, 
and  through  his  Holy  Spirit  must  work  in  us  good  works, 
and  make  us  fit  therefor.  "We  read  the  Bethlehem  diary 
for  the  month  of  May,  '84. 

Monday,  4.  Ignatius  returned  from  Sandusky,  where 
he  got  corn ;  on  the  lake  he  was  sunk  with  his  canoe  and 
cargo,  but  yet  he  saved  every  thing. 

Tuesday,  5.  In  a  conference  with  the  assistants  we  con- 
sidered about  sending  a  couple  of  Indians  as  messengers 
of  peace  to  our  Indians  [in  error]  scattered  here  and  there 
in  the  bush,  to  visit  them,  to  encourage  them,  and  to  learn 
their  mind  and  disposition.  We  found  it  best  to  invite 
some  of  them  here,  if  it  could  be  done,  for  then  we  could 
talk  out  the  matter  with  them,  learn  their  plans,  and  con- 
sider what  we  had  best  resolve  for  their  good.  We  had 
thoug-ht  indeed  whether  it  would  not  be  well  for  one  of  us 
white  brethren  to  go  with  them,  but  the  assistants  op- 
posed, saying  it  would  attract  too  much  notice  among  the 
Indians,  and,  at  the  same  time,  they  would  draw  this  in- 
ference: "He  comes  to  persuade  the  Indians  to  move 
ao'aih  to  the  white  people,  bringing  them  again  into  mis- 
fortunes and  danger."  Therefore,  we  had  to  give  up  this 
plan.     We  resolved,  then,  that  the  assistants,  Samuel  and 


ON   THE    CUYAHOGA,  1786.  293 

Thomas,  should  make  this  journey,  who  were  also  willing 
and  ready  for  it. 

Wednesday,  6.  Adolphus,  with  a  canoe-load  of  sisters, 
started  for  Pettquotting  to  earn  some  corn  among  the  In- 
dians in  the  corn-harvest.  Jacob  and  William  went  off 
hunting  to  the  Tuscarawas.  By  Renatus  we  had  letters 
from  Bethlehem,  one  from  Br.  Ettwein,  of  Aug.  10,  by 
which  we  learn  of  Br.  John's  (de  Watteville)  presence  in 
Bethlehem,  of  whom  we  had  already  heard  he  had  de- 
parted for  Europe;  at  the  same  time,  we  perceive  that 
letters  of  the  month  of  June  are  still  on  their  way.  Both 
Renati,  who  were  hunting  in  Thuppekiink,  had  again  to 
flee  on  account  of  white  people,  who  always  swarm  about 
there. 

Thursday,  7.  Samuel  and  Thomas  began  their  journey 
to  our  Indians  scattered  here  and  there,  after  we  had 
blessed  them  the  evening  before  in  the  service  for  this,  and 
had  recommended  them  to  the  brethren.  We  gave  them 
instructions  of  somewhat  the  following  import :  that  we 
had  not  forgotten  them  over  the  lake  nor  here,  but  con- 
stantly thought  of  them,  and  had  always  wished  we 
could  visit  them;  we  looked  upon  them  as  belonging  to 
us  and  merely  separated  from  us,  wishing  they  could 
again  be  in  communion  with  us;  since  now  we  believed 
that  most  of  them  would  not  have  forgotten  that  they  had 
received  God's  word,  as  we  also,  and  were  troubled  about 
the  salvation  of  their  souls,  we  should  like  to  learn  their 
thoughts  about  this,  how  to  make  it  possible  for  them 
again  to  hear  it  and  come  to  the  enjoyment  of  it;  we 
would  not  just  now  bid  them  come  to  us,  but  they  who 
wished  to  come  would  all  be  welcome  here,  but  we  should 
like  to  see  some  of  their  intelligent  people,  and  to  consider 
with  these  what  could  best  be  done  on  our  part  for  them, 
that  this  should  not  fail,  and  for  this  they  should  make  us 
proposals  which  we  could  understand  and  consider;  they 
should  not  give  up  courage,  thinking,  "All  is  in  vain; 
nothing  will  come  of  the  plan  of  our  all  together  mak- 
ing one  church  again;  we  have  become  savage,  have 
deeply  sinned,  the  Saviour  and  the  brethren  have  cast  us 


294  zeisburger's  diary. 

away,  and  we  are  incurable."  No,  they  should  take  new 
spirit,  and  tarn  to  the  Saviour,  who  is  merciful  and  gra- 
cious, and  so  willingly  forgives  sins;  we  did  not  invite 
them  that  we  might  speak  with  them  about  their  bad 
condition  and  their  sins,  and  learn  exactly  about  them; 
besides  we  knew  how  this  was  when  they  lived  among 
utter  heathen,  but  we  wished  to  speak  with  them  about 
this,  how  they  could  be  put  into  a  blessed  life,  away  from 
their  unblessed  state,  which  could  happen  as  soon  as  they 
would  turn  again  to  the  Saviour,  who  had  poured  out  his 
blood  in  satisfaction  for  their  sins. 

Saturday,  9.     William's  Martha  bore  a  son. 

Sunday,  10.  Br.  David  preached  in  Indian,  there  being 
no  interpreter.  We  read  the  journal,  Memorabilia  from 
Bethlehem  of  '84. 

Tuesday,  12.  Christina  bore  a  daughter,  who,  however, 
died  as  soon  as  born. 

Saturday,  16.  William  returned  from  the  head  of  the 
Tuscarawas,  where  he  had  been  hunting.  He  found  there 
eleven  swarms  of  bees,  from  one  of  which  he  brought  the 
honey,  and  the  rest  he  let  alone  till  he  could  get  them. 
Others  besides  have  found  from  eight  to  ten  and  more. 
The  bush  swarms  with  bees.  In  the  same  neighborhood 
there  had  been  not  only  slight  frosts,  but  heavy  ones, 
though  we  here  have  had  none.  Our  corn  is  yet  very 
backward,  and  should  we  get  a  hard  frost,  it  would  all  go, 
and  all  our  trouble  and  labor  would  have  been  in  vain, 
and  as  it  is,  some  will  get  no  corn,  either  planting  not  the 
proper  kind  or  too  late. 

Sunday,  17.  Br.  David  preached  and  baptized  Matthew, 
the  little  son  of  William  and  Martha,  born  on  the  9th. 
We  read  the  proceedings  of  the  U.  A.  Conference  of  '83. 
Heckewelder  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Wednesday,  20.  Weschnasch  came  here  from  his  hunt- 
ing-hut. We  were  busy  yesterday  and  to-day  bringing 
blocks  for  David's  house.  A  bad  and  inflammatory  fever 
prevails  among  our  Indian  brethren,  with  which  many 
are  already  down.     Heckewelder  held  evening  service. 

Thursday,  21.     Pack-horses  came   through  here   from 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  295 

Pittsburg  on  their  way  to  the  lake.  These  people  brought 
bad  news,  that  an  Indian  war  would  break  out.  The 
Shawanese,  who  are  always  murdering,  took  away  captive 
a  woman  with  her  children,  cut  oif  their  legs  at  the  knee, 
put  them  alive  into  fire  and  burnt  them. 

Friday,  22.  We  heard  unpleasant  news,  that  without 
fail  an  Indian  war  would  break  out.  The  Indians  are 
said  through  the  summer  to  have  murdered  as  wantonly 
in  Kentucky  and  to  have  done  as  much  damage  as  in  the 
last  war. 

Saturday,  23.     Mr.  Neal  was  here  over  night. 

Sunday,  24.  We  got  by  the  pack-horses  our  things 
which  yet  remained  behind,  in  good  condition.  Br.  Heck- 
ewelder  preached,  and  Edwards  held  the  evening  service. 
David  went  to  his  bed  sick. 

Monday,  25.  Br.  Edwards  was  also  badly  attacked  by 
the  fever  prevailing  here. 

Wednesday,  27.     By  Mr.  Neal  sent  letters  to  Bethlehem. 

[Thus  for  to  Bethlehem.] 

Sunday,  Oct.  1.  Heckewelder  preached.  Two  white 
people  came  here  from  Detroit  on  their  way  to  Pittsburg. 
They  were  robbed  of  their  money  by  an  Indian,  who  gave 
himself  out  as  belonging  to  us  and  wishing  to  come  prop- 
erly to  the  sermon.  Ignatius  came  back  from  Sandusky. 
It  is  reported  that  all  white  people  have  been  ordered  to 
go  to  Detroit.  Abr.  Kuhn,^  who  is  our  enemy  and  a  Wy- 
andot chief,  told  him  that  we  had  closed  his  ears  and  let 
him  know  nothing  about  our  coming  over  the  lake ;  we 
had  acted  like  fools  in  coming  over  the  lake ;  he  knew  for 
a  certainty  that  there  would  be  a  new  war,  for  he  learned 
it  in  Canada,  where  he  had  himself  heard  it. 

Wednesday,  4,  and  Friday,  6.  Brethren  came  from  Pett. 
quotting  with  corn,  so  that  for  a  time  they  have  something 
to  live  on,  but  of  those  in  Sandusky  they  knew  nothing. 

Saturday,  7.  Samuel  and  Thomas  came  back  from  their 
journey.  During  almost  the  whole  trip  the  first  had  to 
withstand  a  severe  illness  [coming  home  sick],  for  in  all 

^  From  Lower  Sandusky,  according  to  Heckewelder. 


296  zeisberger's  diary. 

Indian  towns  a  severe  fever  rages.  They  were  heartily 
welcomed  by  many  of  our  Indians,  who  were  again  en- 
couraged by  the  brethren,  and  the  longing  to  come  to  us 
is  anew  awakened  among  them,  and  some  want  to  come 
in  the  spring  and  to  wait  no  longer.  Those  on  the  Miami, 
however,  were  indifferent,  to  whom  they  sent  a  message 
from  the  Shawanese  towns,  in  order  to  speak  with  them, 
but  none  wished  to  come.  One,  however,  Samuel's 
brother,  Augustus,  blasphemed  and  said,  among  other 
things  :  "  I  was  in  Philadelphia,^  in  danger  of  my  life,  and 
have  seen  with  my  own  eyes  those  who  made  attempts 
upon  my  life,  and  I  got  out  of  danger  with  difficulty.  On 
the  Muskingum  the  white  people  have  at  last  attained 
their  purpose,  murdering  so  many  of  our  friends  ;  there- 
fore will  I  keep  far  enough  from  them ;  no  one  shall  take 
me  to  them ;  and  I  say  to  thee,  nevermore  will  I  come  to 
you  and  live  with  you  ;  I  will  hear  nothing  about  the  Sa- 
viour. Perhaps  if  you  lived  near  by  I  would  sometimes 
come  to  see  you  and  visit  you,  but  that  will  all  be  as  it 
will.  My  forefathers  have  all  gone  to  the  devil;  there  will 
I  go  also  ;  where  they  are  there  will  I  also  be."  Samuel 
heard  him  quite  through,  and  answered  him  :  I  have  heard 
thy  mind  and  was  horrified  at  it,  but  I  will  tell  thee  my 
mind.  Nothing  shall  take  me  from  the  Saviour  and  the 
church  so  long  as  I  live ;  neither  trouble  nor  fear,  neither 
hunger  nor  persecution  nor  danger  to  my  life;  all  this  I 
reckon  as  nothing,  if  only  I  have  the  Saviour  and  from 
him  also  the  salvation  of  my  soul,  as  I  surely  shall,  if  I 
stay  by  him,  and  that  can  no  man  take  from  me,  even  if 
they  take  away  my  life."  At  this  he  was  quite  still  and 
had  nothing  to  say. 

They  were  everywhere  received  in  a  friendly  way  by  the 
savages.  No  man  gave  them  a  harsh  word.  I  Avill,  how- 
ever, by  a  few  examples,  show  how,  by  many  sorts  of  craft 
and  by  fine  words,  they  sought  to  induce  our  Indians  to 

^  In  1763,  probably,  when  the  Christian  Indians  from  Nazareth  and 
Nain  were  taken  by  a  sheriff  to  Philadelphia,  where  they  were  received 
with  the  yells  and  shouts  of  an  excited  mob. 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  297 

fly  to  them.    Thomas  is  well  known  among  the  Indians  to 
have  been  a  wicked  man  among  the   savages,  whom  his 
grandfather,  Netawatwes,  had  to  drive  away,  which  was  the 
occasion  of  his  coming  to  ns.     He  came  to  his  acquaint- 
ances and  friends  in  the  Shawanese  towns,  who  had  pre- 
pared a  feast  and  sacrifice  ;  they  also  invited  him  thereto, 
but  he  declined.     They  persisted,  however,  that  he  should 
merely  come  and  eat  with  them,  but  this  he  did  not  do. 
When  they  were  together  in  performance  of  their  ceremo- 
nies they  came  again   and   asked  of  him  to  come,  rattle 
with  the  tortoise  shell  and  sing,  as  is  their  custom.     He 
answered  that  he  had  forgotten  that  and  could  no  longer 
do  it,  he  had  not  done  it  for  so  many  years.     They  an- 
swered he  would  soon  hear  how  the  others  did  it.     He 
said  :  "  That  is  your  way,  but  I  have  found  another  way  to 
live,  which  is  better.     I  cannot  go  two  ways.    I  remain  in 
that  where  I  now  am."     Then   they  let  him    alone.     In 
Sandusky  he  met  one  of  his  former  comrades,  who  was  a 
counsellor.    He  took  him  to  his  house,  many  young  people 
following  him,  so  that  the  house  was  full.    The  counsellor 
said  to  him  that  since  he  had  not  seen  him  for  a  long  time 
and  rejoiced  in  his  coming,  he  wished  to  make  him  right 
welcome,  and  taking  a  cask  of  rum  he  put  it  before  him 
and  told  him  he  should  drink.     Thomas,  after  they  had 
discussed  the  matter  a  while  together,  took  the  cask  of 
rum,  thanked  him  for  it,  and  placed  it  before  the  young 
people,  saying  they  might  drink  it  if  they  would,  but  he 
might  not,  and  he  went  away.     Another  also  wished  to 
treat  him  in  the  same  way,  and  welcome  him,  to  whom  he 
straightway  said :     "You    Indians    are    thus.     You   are 
very  willing  to  ask  the  believing  Indians  to  drink,  and  if 
you  can  make  them  drunk,  you  have  joy  therein,  laugh  at 
them,  and  always  jokingly  say  :     '  The  believing  Indians 
are  no  better  than  we.' "     Another,  the  counsellor,  took 
him  to  his  house,  and  gave  him  a  fine   scarlet-red  coat. 
Thomas  thanked   him  for  it,  and   begged   him  to  be  so 
good   as  to  hang  it  up    on    the    nail    again.     When    the 
other  asked  him  why,  saying  he  gave  him  the  coat,  and 
he   should   put  it  on.     Thomas   answered:     "I  see  very 


298  zeisberger's  diary. 

well  it  is  a  captain's  coat,  and  I  am  neither  a  captain  nor 
wish  to  be  one."  Another  time  this  same  man  came  to 
him  with  some  fathoms  of  wampum,  which  they  do  to  put 
a  man  under  obligations  to  them,  who  does  not  easily 
dare  refuse  if 'any  thing  is  asked  of  him — a  thing  they 
understand  among  themselves  without  words.  Thomas 
took  the  wampum,  held  it  awhile  in  his  hands,  and  be- 
fore he  went  away  gave  it  back  to  him,  saying  to  him: 
"  Thou  art  a  counsellor  and  always  needest  wampum, 
but  I  can  make  no  use  of  it,  but  I  thank  you  for  the 
present." 

On  their  return  they  met  Capt.  Pipe,  who  was  friendly 
towards  them,  and  with  a  belt  gave  them  a  message  which 
was  as  follows  :  "  M}'-  friends,  ye  believing  Indians  in  Cuy- 
ahoga, I  have  lately  had  news  from  the  Goschachgiinkers 
in  the  Shawanese  towns,  that  a  great  council  will  be  held 
there,  whereto  all  nations  assemble,  which  shall  decide 
whether  we  shall  have  war  or  peace.  Thereto  also  are  ye 
invited  to  hear  Avhat  the  conclusion  shall  be."  He  turned 
the  belt  around  and  said  to  the  other  assistant:  "Friends, 
ye  believing  Indians  in  Cuyahoga,  ye  have  been  moving 
about  for  several  years,  from  Sandusky  over  the  lake  to 
the  Chippewas,  and  now  you  have  come  back  again  to 
Cuyahoga,  of  all  which  ye  have  let  us  know  nothing. 
While  now  the  times  are  portentous  and  it  seems  as  if 
a  new  war  would  break  out,  ye  are  in  danger  where  ye  are, 
of  being  again  fallen  upon  by  the  white  people.  Therefore 
I  take  you  by  the  hand,  and  set  you  in  the  neigborhood 
of  the  Pettquottiug,  which  is  intended  for  you  ;  there  seek 
ye  out  a  place  that  pleases  you  and  is  suitable  for  you; 
there  can  ye  keep  your  cattle.  No  one  shall  disturb  you 
or  put  aught  in  your  way,  there  shall  ye  dwell  in  quiet 
and  hold  your  worship  of  God  since  ye  go  not  to  war. 
Accept  this  proposal  for  we  mean  well  by  you.  I  know 
well  that  your  towns  on  the  Muskingum  are  given  to  you, 
it  may  sometime  happen  that  ye  go  there,  but  for  the 
time  being  it  is  not  advisable,  not  good  for  you." 

Sunday,  8.     Br.  Hecke welder  preached,  and  as  he  in- 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA, 1786.  299 

tended  to  go  away  to-morrow  with  his  family  to  the  church,* 
he  bade  us  farewell,  and  many  tears  were  shed,  a  proof 
that  they  love  their  teachers.  In  the  evening  white  peo- 
ple came  here,  who  accompany  Br.  Heckewelder  and  his 
wife  to  Pittsburg.  Among  them  was  also  John  Leeth,^ 
who  during  Br.  Grube's  visit  was  baptized  by  us,  and  also 
his  wife  Elizabeth,  who  had  been  a  prisoner  since  she  was 
half  a  year  old,  and  had  grown  up  among  the  Indians. 
He  asked  very  earnestly  to  be  received  again,  saying  he 
could  not  remain  away  from  us,  and  had  waited  with 
great  longing  till  we  came  over  to  this  side  of  the  lake  ; 
that  he  was  resolved  to  live  with  us  and  nothing  should 
retain  him.  We  pitied  him,  but  told  him  it  was  a  well 
fixed  rule  with  us  in  all  our  missions  to  receive  no  white 
people,  and  so  we  could  not  promise  him  before  we  had  in- 
quired of  the  brethren  in  Bethlehem  about  it  and  had 
their  opinion  ;  we  had  examples  that  we  had  fared  badly 
with  such  people,  and  had  afterwards  much  repented 
of  having  received  them.  All  remonstrances  and  repre- 
sentations, for  we  made  it  right  hard  for  him,  telling  him 
that  even  if  he  should  get  permission  to  live  with  us  he 
must  submit  to  our  rules,  and  could  have  no  preference 
above  the  Indians,  yes,  he  must  very  often  be  their  serv- 
ant, if  he  wished  to  get  along  with  us — all  was  of  no 
avail,  but  he  said  he  would  willingly  endure  any  thing  if 
only  he  could  be  with  us,  for  the  sake  of  his  soul's  sal- 
vation. We  laborers,  with  Br.  Heckewelder  and  his  wife, 
strengthened  ourselves  in  the  evening  once  more  with  the 
body  and  blocd  of  our  Lord  in  the  holy  sacrament,  bound 


'  i.  e.,  to  Bethlehem. 

^  John  Leith's  Biography,  with  annotations  by  C.  VV.  Butterfield,  was 
published  by  Robert  Clarke  &  Co.,  in  1S83.  Leith  was  born  in  South 
Carolina,  in  1755.  When  seventeen  years  old,  he  was  taken  prisoner 
by  the  Delaware  Indians,  and  adopted  by  them.  Even  after  his  mar- 
riage to  Sally  Lowrey  (in  regard  to  his  wife's  name,  see  under  Dec. 
14  and  18,  1788)  he  lived  two  years  in  Gnadenhiitten,  0.  By  his  own 
statement  he  was  converted  in  1793.  He  married  his  second  wife  in 
1802,  and  died  1832. 


300  zeisberger's  diary. 

ourselves  to  abide  by  Jesus'  cross,  to  bear  his  sufferings,^ 
thereby  to  love  one  another  from  our  hearts,  though  ab- 
sent one  from  another. 

Monday,  9.  At  noon  they  went  away  after  a  tender 
leave-taking,  whereby  tears  were  shed  on  both  sides. 
Many  Indian  brothers  and  one  sister,  too,  accompanied 
them  to  Pittsburg,  and  nearly  the  whole  town  a  part  of 
the  way,  Brs.  David  and  Edwards  were  still  very  weak 
and  in  no  condition  to  go  out. 

Tuesday,  10,  Petty,  Job  Chilloway's  former  wife,  came 
here  from  Detroit  to  see  her  sister,  and  also  a  white  man 
from  the  same  place,  captain  of  a  boat,  which  takes  flour 
from  here,  by  whom  we  had  a  friendly  letter  from  Mr.  Askin, 
to  whom  Br.  David  wrote  back.  An  Indian  brother  who 
went  with  our  friends  as  far  as  their  night-quarters  and 
came  back  again,  brought  us  word  they  had  so  far  gone 
well  and  fortunately. 

Wednesday,  11.  All  the  brethren  who  are  at  home  and 
well,  went  out  hunting  to  get  meat  to  eat  while  building 
the  meeting-house,  and  some  sisters  for  chestnuts,  of 
which  there  are  many  this  year.  Many  sisters  came  back 
from  Pettquotting  and  Sandusky,  where  they  earned  corn 
in  the  harvest.  Some  of  them  were  seized  by  the  sick- 
nesses prevalent  everywhere  among  the  Indians,  such  as 
fever  and  swollen  necks,  on  which  account  they  were  so 
long  away.  Two  sisters  went  to  our  Indians  in  the  Shaw- 
anese  towns  and  on  the  Miami.  In  the  first  place,  and  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Sandusky,  they  were  received  with 
joy  by  the  greater  part,  and  whole  families,  children  and 
the  old,  wept  together,  especially  ISTathan.  Davis'  family. 
Since  spring  he  has  been  sick,  quite  paralytic,  and  said  if 
he  could  only  get  well  enough  to  sit  horseback,  that  he 
would  come  to  us  with  his  family,  but  should  he  go  from 
time,  his  wife  and  children  should  go  to  the  church  with- 
out delay. 

In  the  latter  place,  namely,  on  the  Miami,  people  were 
very  shy,  no  one  wished  to  have  any  thing  to  do  with  them, 


^A  quotation  from  a  hymn. 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,  1786.  301 

until  they  had  been  there  a  couple  of  days,  when  they  be- 
came kinder,  and  began  to  talk  with  them.  They  even 
found  some  young  people  who  said  they  would  no  longer 
delay,  but  would  come  to  us,  so  also  in  other  places,  some 
leave  parents  and  friends,  and  come  to  us,  a  fair  sample  of 
our  young  people ;  one  sees  there  is  more  life  and  feeling 
among  them  than  among  the  old,  who  are  like  the  dead. 
Also  those  who  have  been  assistants  are  the  most  indif][er- 
ent  of  all,  but  the  Saviour  will  yet  gather  them  to  the 
flock,  one  after  the  other. 

Friday,  13.  Isaac  Williams  came  through  here  from 
Pittsburg,  bringing  us  news  that  they  had  met  the  Hecke- 
welders,  all  well,  but  that  three  war-parties  were  out, 
whom  they  must  meet,  who  had  murdered  and  scalped  a 
man  on  Salt  Lick,  whom  Isaac  and  his  people  had  buried; 
likewise  that  Congress  had  declared  war  against  the  hos- 
tile Indians  in  order  to  force  them  to  peace,  that  already 
a  thousand  men  had  invaded  the  Indian  land. 

Inasmuch  as  we  had  been  requested  by  Pipe  to  send 
some  one  to  the  council  in  the  Shawanese  towns,  whereto 
we  and  the  assistants  had  not  the  least  inclination,  but  in- 
asmuch as  Heckewelder,  both  at  his  departure  and  from 
his  first  night- quarters,  had  sent  word  to  the  assistants  that 
they  should  listen  to  the  chiefs  and  do  what  they  told  them, 
and  send  a  couple  of  brothers,  we  laid  the  matter  before 
the  Saviour,  asking  his  advice,  but  he  did  not  approve,  and 
this  was  exceedingly  to  our  wishes,  and  we  thanked  him 
for  his  good  advice. 

Saturday,  14.  From  Sandusky  all  the  brethren  now  came 
home  except  one  family,  and  that  is  on  the  way.  The 
brethren  spoke  there  with  Titawachkara,  a  Mousey  ca]3tain 
and  head-man  in  his  town,  who  told  them  he  was  going  to  the 
council,  and  when  he  came  back  he  would  call  upon  us,  aud 
give  us  news  of  what  came  up  and  what  was  decided ;  that 
we  ought  to  have  settled  either  upon  the  Sandusky  or  the 
Pettquotting,  when  we  came  over  the  lake,  but  had  passed 
them  by  ;  we  should  now  settle  at  the  latter  place ;  they 
should  not  be  uneasy  about  any  harm  happening  to  their 
teachers  [among  them  David] ;  he  was  his  friend  and  in 


302  zeisberger's  diary. 

his  family  and  race;  whoever  did  harm  to  him  did  it  to 
himself,  and  he  would  interfere.  This  is  the  same  man^ 
who,  at  the  time  of  our  capture  in  Gnadenhiitten,  wished 
to  make  him  free  and  his  own,  but  that  did  not  then  suc- 
ceed, for  we  brothers  would  then  have  been  separated, 
therefore  Br.  David  gave  him  no  answer.  By  this  circum- 
stance I  must  still  mention  that  the  Indians  had  divided 
among  themselves  our  three  towns,  namely,  this  Titawach- 
kam  wished  to  have  those  in  Schonbrunn,  for  mostly 
Monseys  lived  there  ;  Pipe,  Gnadenhiitten,  and  the  Gosch- 
achgunk  Indians  wanted  to  have  those  in  Salem.  But 
among  themselves  they  were  discordant  and  hostile,  and 
thus  nothing  came  of  this  plan,  no  one  daring  to  make 
much  pretension  from  fear  of  the  others.  Somewhat  like 
this  is  also  the  occasion  for  Pipe's  message  to  us,  about 
which  we  now  have  somewhat  exact  information.  At  the 
treaty  he  said  to  the  commissioners:  "Ye  desire  your  flesh 
and  blood  of  us,  that  is,  all  prisoners,  but  I  have  heard 
nothing  of  your  wishing  to  give  or  make  satisfaction  for 
the  loss  of  our  friends,  which  Ave  suflbredat  Gnadenhiitten, 
where  ye  murdered  unoffending  men,  women,  and  children, 
who  yet  never  went  to  war  nor  troubled  themselves  about 
the  war."  Now  we  hear  that  Pipe  wishes  in  their  place 
to  own  us,  wherefore  he  will  have  us  nearer  him,  and  has 
called  us  to  the  Pettquotting.  This  pleases  our  Indian 
brethren  not  at  all,  they  would  rather  go  over  the  lake, 
where  they  were  free. 

Sunday,  15.  Br.  David  held  again  the  Sunday  services 
for  the  first  time,  having  so  far  recovered.  After  the  ser- 
mon came  some  white  people  here  on  their  way  to  Pitts- 
burg. They  asked  for  an  Indian  to  go  out  with  them  as 
far  as  Salt  Lick,^  for  the  way  was  uncertain;  this  we  could 


^See  before  p.  10. 

^ "  Col.  .lames  Hilman  entered  into  the  service  of  Duncan  &  Wilson, 
of  Pittsburg.  They  were  eng^ged  in  forwarding  goods  and  provisions 
upon  pack-horses  across  the  country  to  the  mouth  of  the  Cuyahoga, 
now  Cleveland,  thence  to  be  shipped  on  the  schooner  Mackinaw  to 
Detroit.  During  the  summer  of  17S6  he  made  six  trips,  the  caravan 
consisting  of  ten  men  and  ninety  horses.     They  usually  crossed  the 


ON   THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  303 

not  well  refuse  them,  though  only  a  few  were  at  home,  and 
of  these  some  were  sick,  and  the  well  had  necessary  work 
to  do.  So  we  gave  them  one  to  go  with  them,  for  which 
they  were  glad  and  thankl'ul.  One  of  them  was  quite  an 
old  man  with  a  white  head,  the  brother-in-law  of  Capt. 
McKee,  of  Detroit.  He  told  us  that  Erant,^  who  is  a  Mo- 
hawk and  colonel,  and  has  this  summer  come  back  from 
England,  and  is  now  at  the  great  council  in  the  Shawanese 
towns,  was  earnest  for  peace,  that  the  nations  wanted  to 
have  a  line  fixed  and  established  as  far  as  the  land  of  the 
free  States  should  extend,  and  if  Congress  were  contented 
with  this,  there  would  be  stable  peace  among  the  nations. 

Monday,  16.  The  brethren  worked  earnestly  at  the 
meeting-house,  making  a  good  beginning, 

Tuesday,  17,  but  late  in  the  ev  ening  came  a  messenger 
from  Pipe,  in  Sandusky,  telling  us  the  Americans^  had 
made  an  incursion  upon  the  Shawanese  towns,  killed  ten 
men,  among  them  a  chief,  and  wasted  and  burnt  every 
thing.  They  conjectured  the  women  and  children  were 
all  taken  prisoners,  as  they  knew  nothing  about  them; 
that  they  stayed  there  one  night  and  then  went  back  again  ; 
that  they  came  to  within  four  miles  of  the  Delaware 
towns,  when  they  turned  about  [which  shows  they  have 
no  intentions  towards  us].  Farther,  that  a  couple  of 
Wyandots  had  brought  in  word  they  had  seen  many  white 
people  in  Tuscarawas,  and  that  more  were  always  getting 
together,  from  which  they  conjectured  an  army  was  coming 
here  this  way.      He  had  us  told  therefore ;  that  he  had 


Big  Beaver,  four  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Shenaiigo,  thence  up 
the  left  bank  of  the  Mahoning,  crossing  it  about  three  miles  above  the 
village  of  Youngstown,  thence  by  way  of  the  Salt  Springs,  in  the  town- 
ship of  VVeathersfield,  through  Milton  and  Ravenna,  crossing  the  Cuy- 
ahoga at  the  mouth  of  Breakneck,  and  again  at  the  mouth  of  Tinker's 
Creek,  in  Bedford,  and  thence  down  the  river  to  its  mouth,  where  they 
erected  a  log-hut  for  the  safekeeping  of  their  goods,  which  was  the  first 
house  built  in  Cleveland." — Howe's  Hist.  Collections  of  Ohio,  p.  338. 

^'I'he  famous  Joseph  Brant,  a  warm  friend  of  the  English,  whose  life 
by  Wm.  L.  Stone  has  been  published  in  two  octavo  volumes. 

^  Under  the  command  of  Col.  Ben.  Logan,  probably.      Albach's  An- 
nals of  the  West,  p.  447. 


304  zeisberger's  diary. 

already  before  sent  us  a  message,  and  now  again  said  to  us 
we  should  be  upon  our  guard,  and  flee  before  we  were  over- 
taken. This  news  caused  much  fright  among  our  Indian 
brethren.  We  could  not,  indeed,  believe  that  an  army 
was  advancing  this  way  without  our  having  heard  any 
thing  about  it,  at  the  same  time  that  Br.  Heckewelder  and 
the  Indian  brethren  would  now  already  be  at  the  Fort, 
who  certainly  would  have  given  us  news  of  this  by  a  mes- 
senger. We  conjectured  rather  it  must  be  the  surveyors 
who  have  come  to  the  Tuscarawas.  All  the  objections, 
however,  by  which  we  sought  to  set  the  brethren  right, 
helped  not  at  all ;  fright  and  dread  were  too  great,  they 
got  ready  and  the  sisters  all  fled  to  the  bush  till  morning, 
when  they  came  again. 

18.  We  considered  with  the  brethren  and  found  it  best, 
for  we  saw  them  tilled  with  fear,  to  bring  the  sisters  and 
children  into  the  bush  some  distance  from  town,  where  by 
day  they  could  go  to  and  from.  It  was  also  not  well  to 
say  much  to  them  about  the  matter,  having  before  us  the 
example  in  Gnadenhlitten.  The  brethren  could  partly  re- 
main at  home  or  go  to  and  fro  until,  through  our  brethren, 
we  had  more  exact  news.  This  they  did,  and  most  of  the 
sisters,  with  the  children,  went  camping  in  the  bush,  but 
we  remained  at  home,  giving  ourselves  over  to  the  j)rovi- 
dence  of  the  Saviour.  Abraham,  while  he  wished  to  flee, 
thought  of  his  teachers,  and  fled  not,  but  resolved  with 
them  to  leave  body  and  life. 

Thursday,  19.  We  sent  a  couple  of  Indian  brethren  to 
the  Tuscarawas  to  tind  out  whether  the  above  news  was 
true  or  false,  or  if  they  met  Indians  to  inquire  about  this, 
in  order  that  we  might  bring  the  brethren  to  themselves 
again  out  of  their  dream.  Some  went  also  to  examine  the 
way  to  the  Fort,  but  they  found  no  trace  of  any  thing  like 
what  we  had  heard.  A  family  of  white  people,  a  woman 
and  children,  who  came  from  Detroit,  on  their  way  to 
Pittsburg,  came  and  begged  us  much  to  help  them  with  a 
couple  of  horses,  and  to  give  them  two  Indians  for  escort 
for  pay.  Glad  as  we  should  have  been  to  help  them,  for 
we  saw  that  if  they  stayed  long  here  they  would  become  a 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  305 

burden  to  us,  and  we  must  support  them,  yet  we  were  in  no 
condition  to  persuade  any  one  to  go  with  them,  and  could 
not  well  do  so,  for  if  any  misfortune  should  happen,  we 
should  have  to  bear  the  blame.  White  people  came  up  here 
from  the  lake,  among  whom  one  had  come  only  a  few  days 
before  from  Sandusky,  who  told  us  and  our  Indians  that 
it  was  certainly  all  lies.  Meanwhile,  some  impure  spirits, 
who  were  glad  to  seek  friendship  in  the  world  and  among 
the  savages,  and  whose  hearts  hang  thereupon,  as  we  had  for 
some  time  observed,  found  occasion  during  these  troubles 
to  tear  themselves  from  us  and  to  take  refuge  among  the 
savages,  and  these  were  Luke's  whole  family.  It  could 
not  be  seen  that  it  was  fear  of  danger  which  drove  them 
away,  for  when  our  sisters  fled  to  the  bush  with  their  chil- 
dren, they  remained  at  home,  and  were  untroubled,  as  if 
they  well  knew  that  what  we  had  heard  was  all  lies.  Br. 
David  spoke  longer  than  two  hours  with  Luke,  but  he  saw 
he  was  fully  determined  to  go,  and  at  the  same  time  that  he 
tried  to  cause  nothing  but  trouble  among  the  other  breth- 
ren, running  from  house  to  house,  trying  to  persuade  them 
to  go  with  him ;  so  Br.  David  let  him  go  in  peace,  bidding 
him  hold  us  in  love,  and  not  to  forget  the  Saviour  and 
put  him  wholly  aside,  and  thus  he  went,  Saturday,  the 
21st.  Manv  Indians  believed  he  was  the  author  of  the 
lies,  and  through  his  wife  had  contrived  this  in  Sandusky, 
and  one  of  them  told  him  this  to  his  face  when  he  went 
away.  Meantime  most  of  the  brethren  came  every  morn- 
ing from  the  bush  home,  remaining  during  the  day  and 
taking  care  of  their  plantations.  Br.  David  spoke  with 
Samuel  and  Abraham,  who  visited  him,  about  the  meeting- 
house, which  was  at  last  ready,  even  to  the  roof,  pointing 
out  to  them  Satan's  labor  and  hinderances  the  whole  sum- 
mer that  we  might  get  no  meeting-house.  Br.  David  had, 
during  the  summer,  got  together  timber  for  his  own  house, 
which  he  now  gave  for  this. 

Sunday,   22.     In   the   sermon,    to    which    most    of  the 
brethren    came,  Br.  David    exhorted    the   brethren,    and 
begged  them  not  to  let  themselves  be  too  much  overcome 
20 


306  zeisberger's  diary. 

by  fright,  nor  seek  to  help  themselves  and  find  safety,  but 
to  take  refuge  with  the  Saviour,  to  place  in  him  their  hope 
and  trust,  who  would  not  brmg  them  to  shame,  by  whom 
they  would  find  comfort  and  advice.  We  were  not  as  the 
heathen,  without  hope.  We  had  a  Saviour,  the  All- 
powerful,  to  whom  there  was  no  want  of  wisdom,  means, 
and  ways  to  take  his  children  through  trouble,  fear,  and 
danger,  but  whoever  sought  help  of  himself,  he  would  fall 
short,  and  must  afterwards  be  ashamed.  We  saw  that 
this  had  effect  upon  our  brethren's  hearts ;  they  were  en- 
couraged and  found  comfort  in  the  Saviour.  Some  Chip- 
pewas  came  from  the  lake  and  asked  us  for  corn,  to 
whom  each  one  gave  from  his  fields,  for  which  they  were 
thankful. 

In  the  evening,  when  it  was  already  dark,  we  heard 
from  afar  a  great  uproar  from  white  people  and  horses' 
bells.  We  supposed  it  was  the  pack-horses  with  flour,  but 
to  the  Indians,  with  all  our  persuasions,  this  was  not  trust- 
worthy, but  they  believed  it  to  be  the  army  of  which  we 
had  heard,  which  would  surround  us,  and  no  one  would 
venture  out  to  see,  bat  every  soul  of  them  fled  to  the  bush, 
and  left  us  quite  alone  until,  at  dawn,  Br.  Schebosh  went 
out  and  found  it  was  the  pack-horses,  who  by  good  luck 
had  an  Indian  with  them,  a  near  friend  of  Pipe's,  who 
told  them  that  all  they  had  heard  was  a  lie.  Then  they 
were  convinced,  and  recovered  from  their  fear  and  tim- 
idity. If  the  Indian  had  not  been  with  them,  they  would 
never  have  believed  the  white  people,  so  incredulous  were 
they. 

Monday,  23.  The  brethren  came  to  their  senses,  and 
began  to  assemble  again,  although  those  who  were  in  the 
bush  had  fled  still  farther  away  at  the  news. 

Tuesday,  24.  Thomas  and  Zachary  came  from  the 
Tuscarawas,  where  they  had  found  no  trace  of  white  peo- 
ple, nor  of  Indians,  although  they  examined  the  road  from 
there  to  the  Fort.  Their  journey  gave  them  recompense 
in  that  they  found  things. 

Wednesday,  25.  The  pack-horses  went  away  again, 
storing  here  their  flour,  seventy  horse-loads,  for  no  white 


ON   THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  307 

people  were  at  the  lake.  The  family  of  white  people  from 
Detroit  had  now  a  good  opportunity,  and  went  away  with 
them,  of  which  we  were  very  glad., 

Thursday,  26.  Most  of  the  Indian  brethren  went  out 
hunting,  since  for  some  time  they  had  not  courage  to  go 
out,  nor  to  shoot  in  the  neighborhood,  even  if  they  could 
shoot  a  deer,  so  as  not  to  be  disclosed. 

Friday,  27.  Sara  l^anticoke  bore  a  daughter,  which 
was  baptized  Sunday,  the  29th,  at  the  sermon,  with  the 
name  Amelia.  The  Indian  who  came  with  the  pack- 
horses  from  Pittsburg,  then  went  to  Sandusky,  and  yester- 
day came  back  again,  met  Luke  with  his  family  on  the 
lake,  not  far  from  here,  and  told  him  that  all  he  had  heard 
was  false  and  lies,  and  when  he  asked  him  if  he  had  not 
better  turn  about,  he  answered,  no,  that  he  was  travelling, 
and  turned  back  no  more. 

Monday,  30.  The  brethren  again  set  to  work  at  the 
meeting-house  to  get  it  ready. 

Tuesday,  31.  Chippewas  came  in,  who  go  up  the  creek 
hunting,  and  encamped  here  a  couple  of  days. 

Friday,  Nov.  3.  Our  Indian  brethren,  who  have  been 
expected  for  several  days,  came  back  from  Pittsburg, 
whither  they  had  accompanied  Br.  Heckewelder  and  his 
wife.  They  brought  us  the  pleasant  news  that  the  Hecke- 
welders  had  gone  so  far  with  good  health  and  fortune,  and 
had  gone  away  from  there  into  the  country  before  their 
own  departure.  By  them  we  had,  at  the  same  time,  let- 
ters from  Bethlehem  and  Litiz,  to  our  great  joy,  of  Jan. 
18th  and  Aug.,  likewise  Sept.  10  and  11  of  this  year.  Be- 
sides they  brought  none  but  good  news  with  them,  and 
nothing  in  the  least  alarming.  They  could  bear  witness 
that  no  army  was  coming  out  this  way,  and  that  nothing 
dangerous  was  to  be  feared.  The  letters  of  Sept.  held  im- 
portant news  and  account  of  the  conference  in  Bethle- 
hem, but  thereto  must  the  Saviour  help  us  make  path 
and  road. 

Sunday,  5.  We  had  our  services,  accompanied  with 
the  nearness  of  our  dear  Lord,  whereby  it  was  well  with 
us  and  our  brethren.     The  brethren  were  greeted   from 


308  zeisberger's  diary. 

Bethlehem,  especially  from  John.^  In  the  evening  a  mes- 
senger came  to  us  from  Luke's  camp  on  the  lake,  to  whom 
a  messenger  from  Sandusky  had  come,  who  brought  us 
again  the  message  ;  we  should  now  go  thither,  and  when 
we  should  be  there  they  would  consider  where  we  should 
dwell.  Thus  they  would  drive  us  about,  and  as  soon  as 
we  should  be  in  their  hands  and  in  their  power,  we  should 
have  no  end  of  moving  about.  When  we  asked  the  messen- 
ger how  it  happened  that  they  wanted  to  have  us  there 
again,  he  answered  :  "  Some  one  of  our  own  number  was 
the  cause,  who  had  sent  them  word  that  Pettquotting  was 
still  too  far  away  from  them ;  we  should  rather  live  with 
them  in  Sandusky.  "  This  can  be  no  one  but  Luke,  who  is 
going  thither,  for  there  is  no  one  among  us  who  wants  to 
go  thither,  even  if  we  must,  but  since  he  wants  to  do  so,  he 
bids  them  bring  us  all  there,  and  he  has  contrived  the 
whole  thing  which  gives  us  so  much  perplexity. 

Tuesday,  7.  As  the  messenger  was  going  back  we  sent 
the  string  of  wampum  back,  thereby  announcing:  "We 
could  not  dwell  near  unbelievers,  much  less  among  them." 
They  knew  very  well  that  we  had  ever  lived  apart  from 
them. 

Wednesday,  8.  One,  Wilson  by  name,  came  here  from 
Detroit  on  his  way  to  the  States.  He  wanted  to  borrow  a 
horse,  and  have  with  him  one  or  two  Indians  for  escort, 
but  we  could  not  so  immediately  help  him. 

Friday,  10.  We  had  the  first  services  in  our  new  chapel 
from  the  Scripture-verse:  Look  down  from  heaven  and 
behold  from  the  habitation  of  thy  holiness.  Thereupon 
was  the  communion  quarter-hour,  in  which  the  holy  com- 
munion was  announced  to  the  brethren  for  day  after  to- 
morrow. 

Saturday,  11.  Chippewas  came  here  and  stayed  over 
night.  Our  Indians  tried  to  find  out  where  they  were 
going,  but  they  did  not  want  to  sa}'  exactly.  The  next 
morning,  however,  one  came  after  them  to  get  them  back 


'  Either  John  de  Watteville  or  John  Ettwein. 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  309 

again,  when  we  found  out  they  were  going  to  war,  and  the 
chiefs  wished  to  stop  them. 

Sunday,  12.  Br.  Edwards  preached,  and  in  the  after- 
noon was  a  love-feast  for  aU.  After  the  brethren  had  been 
spoken  to  yesterday  and  the  day  before,  we  had  in  the  even- 
ing the  holy  communion,  accompanied  by  the  near  pres- 
ence of  the  Saviour  with  his  poor,  sinful  flock,  which  con- 
fessed itself  sinful  before  him,  and  acknowledged  its  guilt. 

Monday,  13.  After  consideration  of  our  Scripture- 
verse  :  And  to  our  God  for  he  will  abundantly  par- 
don, and  of  the  text:  For  thus  saith  the  Lord  God:  Be- 
hold I,  even  I,  will  both  search  my  sheep  and  seek  them 
out,  we  prayed  to  our  dear  Lord,  the  Elder  of  his  church, 
thanked  him  for  his  blessed  rule,  under  which,  by  his 
mercy,  we  find  ourselves  so  blessed,  for  he  feeds  his  little 
sheep  upon  his  holy  wounds,  which  he  felt  for  us;  we 
asked  forgiveness  where  we  had  not  done  right,  nor  always 
followed  and  fulfilled  his  good  and  gracious  advice  and 
will ;  that  he  would  be  further  interested  in  us,  and  espec- 
ially take  upon  his  true  heart  our  outward  circumstances, 
opening  and  showing  the  way  for  us,  putting  aside  all  the 
hinderances  made  by  Satan,  that  through  us  he  might  ac- 
coaiplish  his  holy  will.  We  got  the  assurance  in  our 
hearts  that  he  would  do  for  us  all  this  and  yet  more. 

Wednesday,  15.  Many  got  ready  for  the  autumn  hunt 
after  they  were  done  with  work  in  the  fields  and  with  the 
buildino*  of  their  houses  and  huts.  There  are  but  few 
houses  built,  most  getting  through  this  winter  in  huts, 
since  we  know  not  how  soon  we  must  go  hence. 

Thursday,  16,  and  Friday,  17.  The  sisters  helped  us 
get  in  our  crops,  turnips,  and  potatoes,  of  which  each  one 
has  planted  freely. 

Sunday,  19.  Br.  David  preached  from  the  words  of 
Paul :  I  count  all  thinsrs  but  loss  for  the  excellencv  of  the 
knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus. 

Monday,  20.  There  was  in  the  evening  another  slight 
alarm.  Sisters,  who  were  gathering  chestnuts,  brought 
home  a  piece  of  board  they  had  found  in  an  old  house  a 
few  miles  from  here,  on  which  were  painted  six  warriors, 


310  zeisberger's  diary. 

with  two  prisoners  and  five  scalps.  Many  believed  that 
the  six  Potawatomies  and  Chippewas,  who  went  through 
here  a  week  ago,  had  fallen  upon  the  pack-horse  people, 
soon  expected  here,  killed  and  taken  prisoners  some  of 
them,  and  had  then  painted  this  board  to  let  our  Indians 
know  about  it.  "We  could  not,  however,  believe  this,  for 
the  pack-horses  could  not  yet  have  gone  so  far  out,  and 
we  hoped  for  the  best. 

Tuesday,  21.  Abraham  went  with  some  sisters  to  Pett- 
quotting  to  bring  into  safety  some  corn  they  had  got  there, 
and  to  bury  it,  for  all  the  Indians  have  moved  thence. 

Saturday,  25.  Many  brethren  came  home  from  hunting, 
content,  with  horse-loads  of  venison  and  bear-meat,  and 
casks  filled  with  honey  they  had  collected  in  the  bush,  for 
there  are  many  bees  here;  thus  our  Indians,  after  the  hun- 
ger they  have  endured,  will  again  for  a  time  have  enough 
to  eat,  and  more,  and  can  live  well;  they  cheerfully  gave 
to  us,  too. 

Sunday,  26.  Br.  Edwards  preached,  and  Br.  David  held 
the  congregation  meeting  in  the  evening. 

Monday,  27.  Wrote  to  Bethlehem  and  Litiz.  Br.  Ed- 
wards held  early  service. 

Tuesday,  28.  David  held  early  service  :  But  because 
ye  are  not  of  the  world,  therefore  the  world  hateth  you. 
By  Samuel  and  Thomas,  who  went  with  horses  to  the 
Fort,  we  sent  a  package  of  letters  to  Litiz  and  Bethlehem. 

Thursday,  30.  Two  Tawa  Indians  came  in  from  hunt- 
ing in  the  bush,  staying  here  two  days.  The  sisters  cut 
wood  for  us. 

Friday,  Dec.  1.  As  the  weather  was  fine  and  mild,  the 
sisters  went  out  to  try  to  make  some  sugar  for  all  at  the 
love-feast. 

Sunday,  3.  1st  of  Advent.  Br.  David  preached  about 
our  Saviour's  coming  into  the  flesh,  who,  by  his  incarna- 
tion, passion,  and  death  for  our  sins,  brought  back  to  us 
eternal  life  and  happiness,  wherefore  we  should  be  glad 
and  thankful,  rejoicing  in. our  Saviour. 

Tuesday,  5.  Last  night  a  fine  snow  fell,  which  was  just 
the  thing  for  our  hunters. 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  311 

Friday,  8,  To-day,  and  several  preceding  days,  it 
snowed  so  that  the  snow  is  knee-deep,  and  shows  yet  no 
sign  of  stopping. 

Saturday,  9.  Two  white  people  came  here  from  Pitts- 
burg on  their  way  to  Detroit,  by  whom  we  had  letters 
from  Brs.  Ettwein  and  Sensemann,  from  Bethlehem  and 
Heidelberg  (Berks  Co.,  Pa.)  From  a  Pittsburg  newspaper, 
sent  by  Mr.  Duncan,  we  learned  the  resolve  of  Congress 
about  our  Indians,  just  as  we  had  already  had  news  of  it 
by  letters  from  Bethlehem. 

Sunday,  10.  Br.  Edwards  preached ;  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  11.  The  white  people  set  out  on  their  way  to 
Detroit.  Br.  David  wrote  by  them  to  Mr.  Askin  about  the 
letter  of  credit  which  Br.  Wollin  had  sent  for  us  to  Mr. 
Dobie  in  Montreal,  which  Br.  Ettwein  had  mentioned  in 
his  letter. 

Tuesday,  12.  It  has  snowed  now  for  several  days,  and 
again  to-day  steadily.  The  snow  always  gets  deeper,  so 
that  we  are  in  a  good  deal  of  trouble  about  our  cattle, 
while  at  this  time  of  year  on  the  Huron  River  (Michigan) 
we  saw  little  snow,  or  almost  none.  The  sisters  brought 
our  turnips  from  the  field  to  the  house  for  our  cattle. 
Some  of  the  hunters  came  home,  for  the  snow  is  too  deep 
for  hunting,  and  our  Indians  are  preparing  to  get  snow- 
shoes  ready,  a  thing  they  had  not  expected,  for  on  the 
Muskingum  they  never  needed  any,  no  deep  snow  ever 
falling. 

Thursday,  14.  Rain  fell,  and  a  thaw  set  in,  which  con- 
tinued several  days,  so  that  the  snow,  which  had  been  two 
and  a  half  feet  deep,  almost  all  went  off.  There  came 
seven  Tawas  and  Chippewas  from  the  lake  here,  remained 
over  night,  and  inquired  about  the  flour  which  had  been 
stored  here  and  not  taken  away.  They  were  answered 
that  the  flour  belonged  to  their  father  in  Detroit.  The 
morning  after,  as  they  went  away,  they  observed  the  house 
where  it  was,  for  they  passed  through  here  not  long  ago, 
and  therefore  knew  it.  They  took  out  three  casks,  two  of 
which  they  took  with  them,  the  other  they  gave  to  our  In- 


312  zeisberger's  diary. 

dians,  since  it  was  too  much  for  them,  and  they  went  away. 
"We,  however,  put  the  cask  with  the  rest,  and  did  not  take 
it.  The  evening  before  they  had  called  upon  Br.  David  ; 
one,  a  Tawa,  knew  English  somewhat,  and  a  Chippewa, 
Delaware.    They  said  they  lived  in  Sandusky,  on  the  lake. 

Saturday,  16.  The  thaw  kept  on,  for  which  we  were 
glad. 

Sunday,  17.  David  preached,  and  then  held  the  com- 
munion quarter-hour,  which  was  announced  for  next  Sat- 
urday.    Br.  Edwards  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  18.     David  held  early  service. 

Tuesday,  19.  Edwards.  Abraham,  with  his  wife,  came 
from  Pettquotting,  where  he  had  been  kept  so  long  by  the 
deep  snow.  He  had  there  met  Luke  and  his  family,  with 
A.  Johanna,  who  pass  the  winter  there,  expecting  us  in 
the  spring.  They  think  they  will  then  have  made  the 
journey,  and  be  so  far  ahead  of  us.  A.  Charity  came  with 
him. 

Friday,  22.  David  spoke  plainly  with  A.  Charity,  and 
showed  her  how  deceived  she  was  in  leaving  us. 

Saturday,  23.  Having  spoken  with  the  brethren  for 
several  days,  we  found  cause  in  part  for  joy,  in  part  for 
sorrow.  We  had  the  number  of  thirty  at  the  Lord's  sup- 
per, which  was  accompanied  by  the  Saviour's  near  pres- 
ence. Three  sisters  and  two  brothers  remained  away  this 
time.  Samuel  and  Thomas  were  not  yet  back  from  Pitts- 
burg, and  we  cannot  conceive  why  they  remain  away  so 
long.  We  conjectured  that  one  of  them  must  be  ill,  for 
Samuel  was  not  right  well  when  he  went  away. 

Sunday,  24.  After  the  communion  liturgy  Br.  Edwards 
preached,  and  then  David  held  the  children's  service,  ex- 
horting them  to  praise  the  infant  Jesus  with  joyful  hearts 
and  to  glorify  him  with  their  mouths.  We  began  Christ- 
mas with  a  love-feast.  The  history  of  our  Saviour's  birth 
was  read,  and  after  consideration  of  the  Scripture-verse 
and  text  we  prayed  to  the  little  Child  in  the  manger.  At 
the  end  burning  wax-tapers  were  given  to  the  children ; 
whereupon  all  went  joyfully  home,  and  they  sang  after- 
*  wards  in  their  huts  Christmas  verses. 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1786.  313 

Monday,  25.  David  preached  from  John,  i  :  The  word 
was  made  flesh.  Br.  Edwards  held  the  congregation  meet- 
ing. The  brethren  came  to  greet  us  and  showed  their 
hearts  joyful  at  the  Saviour's  birth. 

Tuesday,  26.  At  last  came  Brs.  Samuel  and  Thomas 
from  Pittsburg,  whom  we  had  very  long  and  eagerly 
awaited,  believing  they  must  have  met  some  misfortune 
or  that  they  had  been  somewhat  sick,  but  the  deep  snow 
had  detained  them,  which  in  Pittsburg  was  much  deeper 
than  here,  for  they  said  it  was  over  their  hips,  and  it  was 
not  so  deep  here.  We  had  by  them  a  letter  from  Br. 
Heckewelder,  in  Carlisle,  of  'Nov.  2,  from  which  we 
learned  they  were  in  good  health.  From  Gen.  Butler,  Su- 
perintendent of  Indian  Afl:airs,  we  had  likewise  a  friendly 
letter,  from  which  we  learn  his  good  intentions  in  offering 
us  his  services.  Only  it  is  a  pity  the  winter  is  so  hard  and 
the  way  to  him  yet  almost  impassable,  for  I  should  like  to 
see  him  to  accomplish  something  for  ourselves  in  the  In- 
dian land  with  the  chiefs.  Samuel  told  him  the  chiefs 
wanted  to  have  us  on  the  Pettquotting,  but  he  advised 
him  against  accepting  this  call,  telling  him  they  would  do 
ill  to  go  there  and  would  have  an  unquiet,  pitiful  life. 

Friday',  29.  The  brethren  got  wood  for  us,  a  brother, 
sisters,  boys,  and  girls.  In  the  evening,  since  now  tl\e  two 
brothers  have  come  from  the  Fort,  we  made  known  to  the 
assistant-brethren  the  resolve  of  Congress  concerning  our 
Indians  and  the  orders  sent  out  in  their  favor.  Likewise 
that  in  the  spring,  by  the  grace  of  God,  we  should  move  to 
the  Muskingum,  it  being  the  advice  and  direction  of  the 
Saviour  and  of  the  brethren.  Br.  David  told  them  he  was 
determined  and  ready  to  go  and  had  thereby  but  one 
trouble,  namely,  whether  all  the  brethren  would  be  will- 
ing, but  this  he  wished  and  hoped.  He  told  them  they 
had  their  choice.^  The  chiefs  had  summoned  them  and 
wished  to  have  them  with  themselves,  with  no  other  in- 
tention than  utterly  to  destroy  the  Indian  church,  for  from 
them  we  had  nothing  good   to   expect,   either  bodily  or 

^This  word  is  conjectured. 


314  zeisberger's  diary. 

spiritually.  If  now  they  accepted  the  invitation  of  these 
chiefs  it  would  not  look  well,  Congress  having  made  them 
such  good  offers  and  wishing  to  help  them.  If  they  went 
to  the  Muskingum,  they  would,  perhaps,  be  done  with  the 
chiefs,  but  this  would  not  hurt  them,  for  they  already 
knew  from  experience  what  they  could  expect  from  them. 
As  long  as  we  were  among  them  we  had  never  seen  them 
give  us  any  help,  even  in  regard  to  the  wild  Indians;  when 
they  killed  our  cattle,  stole  our  horses,  and  so  on,  we  had 
never  got  satisfaction  nor  justice.  We  found  that  the  as- 
sistants all  agreed  with  us,  thinking  as  we  did.  They  be- 
lieved also  that  most  of  the  brethren  would  agree  and 
that  perhaps  none  would  remain  behind.  As  far  as  we 
have  observed  among  the  brethren,  they  have  no  desire 
for  the  Pettquotting,  still  less  for  Sandusky. 

Sunday,  31.  David  preached.  Towards  midnight,  we 
assembled  at  the  close  of  the  year,  called  to  mind  the 
kindnesses  of  his  gracious  guidance  and  direction,  and 
his  help  through  all  difficulties.  If  it  was  at  times  hard 
and  with  distress,  yet  we  cannot,  at  the  close  of  the  year, 
thank  and  praise  him  enough  that  he  has  done  all  so 
well  and  blessedly  with  us  beyond  our  expectation. 
We  remembered  the  grace  and  mercy  the  Saviour  has 
shown  us. 

A  year  ago  we  knew  not  how  we  should  fare,  and  there 
was  little  likelihood  of  our  getting  away  from  the  Huron 
River  this  year,  but  when  we  spoke  in  February  with  the 
commandant  in  Detroit,  we  found  that  the  Saviour  was 
beginning  to  make  us  a  way.  He  led  the  hearts  of  au- 
thority that  it  not  only  opened  the  way  for  us,  but  also 
helped  us.  We  celebrated  Easter  in  peace,  having  blessed 
holidays,  but  soon  thereafter,  April  20th,  we' broke  up  and 
started  upon  our  travels.  In  Detroit,  where  we  stayed 
several  days  with  the  Indians  and  had  to  wait,  the  com- 
mandant gave  orders  that  two  ships  should  be  fitted  out 
for  us  to  take  us  to  Cnyahoga;  with  these  we  sailed  away 
April  28,  and  on  the  29th,  came  to  the  islands  in  the  lake, 
where,  owing  to  adverse  winds,  we  lay,  and  used  up  a 
whole  mouth,  until,  at  last,  it  was  so  arranged  and  the 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,  1786.  315 

Saviour  helped,  that  we,  partly  by  land  along  the  shore, 
partly  by  water,  all  came,  on  the  8th  of  June,  to  the  month 
of  the  Cuyahoga.  ISTow  was  the  trouble  over,  fortunately 
and  without  harm,  but  another  met  us,  which  was  still 
harder  than  all,  namely,  famine,  as  we  had  also  expected 
from  the  very  beginning  of  our  journey.  We  settled  here 
in  the  bush,  where  far  and  near  was  no  Indian  settlement, 
and  for  a  long  time  saw  no  ways  or  means  of  getting  that 
by  which  we  and  our  Indian  brethren  could  live,  but  the 
Saviour  helped,  so  that,  in  some  measure,  for  a  time,  we 
were  aided  for  pay,  and  also  planted  somewhat,  which  he 
80  blessed,  that,  with  what  the  Indian  brethren  have  got 
here  from  other  places,  we  shall  have  enough  to  eat  until 
spring.  We  trust  our  heavenly  Father  further  to  care  for 
us  and  to  give  us  advice. 

The  Indian  brethren,  Samuel  and  Thomas,  in  Septem- 
ber, made  a  visit  to  our  Indians  wandering  in  error,  and 
were  very  well  received  by  some,  who,  in  return,  were  en- 
couraged by  them  to  turn  back  again  to  the  church,  which 
was  not  without  blessing,  and  we  can  see  that  little  by 
little  many  will  again  come  back  to  the  flock  and  again 
be  found  here. 

We  stayed  here  on  the  Cuyahoga  quite  quiet  as  regards 
the  savages  and  their  chiefs  until  October,  when  we  got  a 
message  from  Sandusky,  and  the  chiefs  sent  us  an  invita- 
tion to  come  to  Pettquotting  and  settle  there,  and  soon 
after  a  second  [that  we  should  go  to  Lower  Sandusky]  was 
so  involved  in  lies  that  it  put  our  Indian  brethren  in 
such  fear  that  for  a  week  they  fled  into  the  bush,  from 
fear  lest  the  white  people  should  fall  upon  them  to  mur- 
der them,  which  for  a  time  made  great  uneasiness  among 
the  brethren.  Luke  took  this  occasion  to  go  away  from 
us  with  his  family  to  Pettquotting,  and  A.  Johanna,  just 
twelve  persons,  whom,  however,  we  do  not  reckon  in  the 
account.  At  last  our  brethren  saw  they  had  been  de- 
ceived, and  again  came  to  their  senses.  After  considera- 
tion of  our  Scripture-verse  and  text,  we  thanked  the  Lord 
upon  our  knees  for  all  the  goodness  he  had  shown  us, 
begged  forgiveness  also  for  all  our  faults  and  shortcomings, 


1 


316  zeisberger's  diary. 

and  all  this  was  accompanied  by  the  tears  of  the  brethren. 
We  were  richly  comforted  by  him  and  he  let  us  feel  his 
peace.  At  the  end  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  was  laid  upon 
the  church,  and  we  gave  the  kiss  of  peace  for  the  new 
year  one  to  another. 

We  have  had  the  holy  communion  six  times,  thrice  over 
the  lake  on  the  Huron  and  thrice  here,  whereto  five  breth- 
ren have  been  admitted. 

Five  children  have  been  baptized.  One  man  has  come 
back  to  us  again,  namely,  Michael. 

Lately  went  to  Pettquotting,  Luke  with  his  family  and 
Anna  Johanna,  in  all  twelve  persons.     One  has  died.  dj 

At  present  there  are  with  us  of  married  people  sixteen 
couples  and  one  individual  woman. 

Single  men  2,  of  whom  one  uubaptized. 

Widowers  2. 

Single  women  6,  of  whom  two  unbaptized. 

Widows  3. 

Big  boys  8,  of  whom  six  unbaptized. 

Big  girls  7,  of  whom  three  unbaptized. 

Boys  13,  of  whom  two  unbaptized. 

Girls  21,  of  whom  one  unbaptized. 

Total  95  Indian  souls,  among  them  34  communion 
brethren,  without  those  in  Pettquotting. 


ON   THE    CUYAHOGA,    1787.  317 


^ 


CHAPTER  VII. 

1787. 

On    the    Cuyahoga — JoaRNEY    to    Huron     River — Settlement     there 

(Pettquotting). 

Monday,  Jan.  1.  Br.  Edwards  preached  about  the  name 
of  Jesus  as  our  Saviour.  In  the  service  following  upon 
this,  four  persons,  the  single  roan,  by  name  Lewis,  and 
a  young  man,  by  name  Benjamin,  a  single  woman,  by 
name  Maria  Elizabeth,  and  a  maiden,  by  name  Johannette, 
were  baptized  into  Jesus'  death,  the  two  first  by  Br.  Ed- 
wards, both  the  last  by  Br.  David,  whereby  a  mighty  grace 
prevailed,  and  the  near  presence  of  the  Saviour  was  to  be 
noticed.  In  the  concluding  service  Joshua's  daughter, 
Salome,  was  admitted  to  the  church,  on  which  occasion 
Br.  David  laid  down  to  our  baptized  youth  the  necessity 
of  admission  to  the  church,  and  impressed  it  upon  them, 
and  many  wept  bitterly.  This  caused  quite  a  new  move- 
ment and  excitement  among  the  young  people  of  either 
sex,  so  that  many  tears  were  shed. 

3.  Two  Chippewas  were  at  the  early  service,  very  pious 
and  devout,  one  of  whom  understood  Delaware. 

Friday,  5.  Joseph,  who  had  been  sent  by  us  over  the 
lake,  came  here  from  Sandusky  to  see  us,  and  secretly 
told  an  Indian  brother,  Thomas,  that  the  nation  had  re- 
solved upon  war  with  the  Americans,  the  Chippewas  being 
the  leaders,  also  that  the  chiefs  had  forbidden  any  one  to 
let  us  know  about  it ;  that  we  missionaries  would  be  killed, 
and  not  merely  be  made  prisoners,  as  was  before  done ; 
that  the  nations  had  all  united  for  the  war,  and  that  the 
beginning  would  be  made  in  the  spring,  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  place  where  the  Shawanese  prisoners  had  been 
taken.  They  are  now  over  the  lake  at  a  treaty,  and  when 
they  come  back  they  will  send  us  a  message  once   more, 


318  zeisberger's  diary. 

and  if  we  do  not  regard  it  and  yet  go  to  the  Muskingum, 
they  will  use  force,  killing  us  missionaries  and  carrying  off 
our  Indians,  thus  once  for  all  the  matter  would  be  ended, 
and  they  would  have  no  further  trouble  about  us.  Such  is 
said  to  be  the  talk. 

Saturday,  6.  We  celebrated  Epiphany,  accompanied  by 
the  near  and  perceptible  presence  of  the  Saviour.  He 
showed  himself  great  and  mighty  to  his  Indian  flock  that 
still  remains  and  has  been  rescued  from  overthrow.  At 
morning  prayer  we  committed  ourselves,  as  also  all  our 
churches  among  the  heathen,  to  him  for  his  blessing,  and 
asked  his  near  presence  with  us  this  day.  In  the  second 
service  of  the  baptized,  after  a  discourse  upon  the  Script- 
ure-verse of  the  day,  was  absolved  Michael,  who  came  to 
us  this  summer,  with  a  powerful  outpouring  of  grace  ; 
and  a  grown  maiden,  A.  Salome,  was  taken  into  the 
church.  At  the  love-feast  we  thought  of  the  churches 
among  the  heathen  in  Greenland,  South  America,  and  in 
the  Isles.^  The  brethren  were  reminded  and  made  to 
think  that  the  Saviour  had  hitherto  brought  them 
through  many  trials,  dangers,  and  temptations,  and  they 
were  also  told  they  should  not  think  all  was  over  now, 
they  should  not  be  so  sure,  but  stand  on  their  guard ; 
we  were  not  yet  done  with  all  difficulties  and  danger; 
a  hard  storm  might  still  fall  upon  us;  they  should  stand 
fast,  and  not  indeed  trust  themselves,  but  believe  that 
they  are  poor  and  weak,  and  so  should  cling  the  closer 
to  the  Saviour,  and  put  their  trust  in  him  alone,  who 
would  never  bring  them  to  shame.  In  the  service  that  fol- 
lowed upon  this,  a  grown  maiden,  Ignatius'  daughter,  was 
baptized  into  Jesus'  death,  with  the  name  Anna  Maria; 
also  to-day  was  baptized  Cathrine's  sick  child,  by  name, 
Samuel,  and  A.  Salome. 

Sunday,  7.  Edwards  preached,  and  thereupon  the  chil- 
dren, especially  the  boys,  had  a  blessed  service.  His  his- 
tory was  brought  to  their  minds  :  When  Jesus  was  twelve 


^  At  this  time  the  Moravians  had  nine  missions  in  the  West  Indies, 
three  in  Greenland,  and  one  in  Surinam. 


ON   THE    CUYAHOGA,  1787.  319 

years  old,  etc.,  and  there  was  a  discourse  about  their  text: 
And  Jesus  increased  in  wisdom  and  stature  and  in  favor 
with  God  and  man.  In  the  congregation  meeting  from 
the  Scripture-verse,  Cathrine  upon  her  longing  request 
and  entreaty  was  absolved.  Her  husband  brought  her  to 
us  on  the  Huron  River  in  '85,  but  he  went  away  himself, 
and,  as  we  learn,  is  paralytic  and  cannot  walk,  but  as  soon 
as  he  is  somewhat  better  will  come  to  us.-  She  made  clear 
that  she  wished  to  live  and  die  in  the  church,  would  will- 
ingly in  the  church  share  our  joys  and  sorrows  ;  however 
things  went  with  the  Saviour's  people,  well  or  ill,  she 
wished  to  share  them,  and  considered  herself  fortunate  to 
suffer  hardship  with  the  church.  We  could  not  but  give 
praise  and  thanks  to  the  Saviour  for  the  mercy  he  had  let 
our  brethren  experience  and  enjoy  during  these  days. 
There  was  a  quite  new  comprehension,  and  thorough 
awakening  among  them,  so  that  none  went  away  empty,  as 
if  the  Saviour  had  something  especial  in  store  for  them,  and 
wished  to  prepare  them  for  something  to  come.  Pleasant 
was  it  to  us  that  they  had  heard  none  of  these  stories 
about  war,  and  would  not  hear  them,  for  only  two  bretl;- 
ren  had  heard  them  and  they  kept  silent.  We  laborers 
had  afterwards,  late  in  the  evening,  a  conference  together 
about  them,  for  if  the  news  were  true,  which  we  had  a 
while  ago  and  again  just  now,  we  could  not  be  quite 
quiet  and  indifferent  about  it,  without  thinking  and  con- 
sidering what  we  should  do,  and  this  soon,  before  it  was 
too  late  and  we  were  caught  unprepared.  We  thought 
the  news  might  be  true,  there  was  no  impossibility 
about  it,  for  ever  since  we  have  been  here  we  have  heard 
that  the  Indians  are  eager  for  war,  and  only  wait  for 
things  to  go  well  for  it.  On  the  other  hand,  it  may  also 
be  deceit  on  the  part  of  the  chiefs,  who  secretly  spread 
abroad  such  news,  and  even  forbid  any  one  to  tell  us  of 
it  on  this  very  account,  that  we  may  the  more  readily  be- 
lieve it,  they  well  knowing  it  would  come  to  our  ears, 
and  wishing  to  arouse  fear  and  dread  among  our  Indians, 
80  that  they  may  take  refuge  with  them  and  accept  their 
messages.     Since  now  we  were  in  uncertainty,  and  knew 


320  zeisberger's  diary. 

not  what  to  believe,  and  since  we  did  not  wish  to  waste 
our  time,  for  we  had  little  now,  and  almost  none  to  turn 
ourselves  in  and  to  form  a  plan,  we  turned  to  the  Saviour 
and  begged  his  advice.  We  asked  him  whether,  consid- 
ing  our  circumstances,  we  had  now  any  thing  to  ask  him, 
and  the  answer  was,  yes.  In  the  consultation  hereupon 
we  made  the  following  lots  : 

1st.  The  Saviour  is  for  our  soon  going  away  from  here ; 
hereto  we  put  a  blank  and  the  first  was  drawn. 

2d.  The  Saviour  tells  us  to  go  to  the  place  on  the  Mus- 
kingum pointed  out  by  the  conference  in  Bethlehem, 
and  hereto  a  blank,  and  the  first  was  drawn.  We  had 
still  one  matter  of  concern,  namely,  to  know  whether 
we  should  soon  set  out  upon  our  journey  to  the  Mus- 
kingum, having  for  some  time  such  fine  weather,  the 
ground  free  from  snow,  and  the  Cuyahoga  perfectly  clear 
from  ice.  The  Saviour  let  us  know  that  we  had  no  need 
of  haste,  but  could  await  the  spring. 

We  were  from  our  hearts  thankful  to  the  Saviour  for 
advising  us  and  helping  us  out  of  our  trouble  and  perplex- 
ity. His  word  is  truth,  therein  we  trust,  thereon  de- 
pend. We  should  now  no  longer  be  disturbed  by  evil  re- 
ports, nor  pay  heed  to  them,  but  go  straight  on  and  regard 
them  not. 

Monday,  8.  Joseph  had  us  asked  whether  he  would  be 
received  again  if  he  should  come  back  to  us  with  his  wife. 
We  did  not  refuse  him.  but  sent  word  to  him  he  must  first 
know  whether  his  wife  was  of  his  mind,  and  if  thus  he 
came  we  would  consider  it. 

Wednesday,  10.  Salome,  Stephen's  wife,  became  sud- 
denly ill  with  convulsions,  so  that  it  was  feared  she  would 
not  come  to  herself  again,  but  she  got  better  the  next  day. 
Many  brethren  went  off  to  search  for  sugar-places  and  to 
build  huts. 

Thursday,  11.  A  party  of  Chippewas  came  here  from 
their  hunting-place,  encamping  near  by  for  several  days. 
They  were  going  to  their  sugar-place,  were  very  friendly, 
and  said  that  those  who  took  the  flour  here  were  Tawas, 
and  no  Chippewas,  for  they  did  no  such  things. 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,   1787.  321 

Sunday,  14.  Br.  Edwards  preached  and  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  The  Chippewas  near  us  gave  our 
Indians  a  feast  of  bear's  meat,  having  shot  several  bears. 

Tuesday,  16.  Br.  Edwards  held  early  service.  In  the 
marriage  quarter-hour  afterward  the  single  brother,  Lewis, 
Salome's  son,  and  the  single  sister,  Esther,  the  late  Eachel's 
daughter,  were  married.  Most  of  the  brethren  went  into 
the  bush  to  build  sugar-huts. 

Saturday,  20.  Five  messengers  came  from  Pittsburg, 
sent  to  the  nations  with  a  message  from  Mr.  Butler.  Among 
them  were  two  Senecas,  one  of  them  a  chief,  a  Cayuga, 
an  Onondaga,  and  a  Wyandot.  They  made  a  speech  to 
our  Indians  with  a  string  of  wampum,  washed  the  tears 
from  their  eyes,  comforted  them  for  all  the  suffering  they 
had  passed  through,  and  thereupon  made  known  to  them 
the  directions  given  to  them,  whereto  they  had  the  order 
of  the  well  known  Cayashoto,  the  Mingo  chief,  who  stayed 
much  in  Pittsburg.  Their  directions  are  to  try  whether 
the}^  can  bring  the  nations,  especially  the  Shawanese,  to  in- 
cline their  ears  to  peace,  andif  they  perceive  any  inclination 
thereto  among  them,  to  invite  them  to  a  treaty ;  to  promise 
the  Shawanese  also,  if  they  wish  to  make  peace,  they  shall 
recover  the  thirty  odd  prisoners  whom  they  have  in  the 
States.  Our  Indians  thanked  them,  through  a  string,  as 
well  for  their  comforting  address  and  good  wishes  as  for 
the  information  about  their  directions,  encouraged  them  to 
do  their  best,  that  a  stable  treaty  of  peace  may  be  made 
among  the  nations,  for  we  were  children  of  peace  and 
wished  them  good  success.  This  pleased  them  so  much 
that  they  said  that  now  they  went  twice  as  cheerfully  and 
willingly  about  their  work ;  they  would  do  their  best,  and 
on  their  return  would  come  here  again  to  tell  us  how  they 
found  things  and  what  they  had  accomplished. 

Sunday,  21.  Early  in  the  morning  they  set  forth  again 
on  their  way  after  we  had  given  them  some  provisions  for 
the  journey.  Br.  David  delivered  a  sermon  about :  Lord 
if  thou  wilt  thou  canst,  etc.  I  will.  Br.  Edwards  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 
21 


322  zeisberger's  diary. 

Tuesday,  23.  From  the  many  rains  and  thunder-storms 
the  Cuj^ahoga  rose  so  high  yesterday  and  to-day  as  to  cover 
the  lowland.  Our  Indian  brethren  contributed  corn  for  the 
Chippewas  and  gave  it  them.  The  eldest  of  them  is  brother 
of  the  chief  who  was  our  friend  over  the  lake.  They  wish  to 
make  sugar  here  with  our  brethren  ;  they  are  very  friendly, 
and  always  asking  when  we  shall  go  back  home  again  over 
the  lake,  thinking  we  stay  here  only  for  hunting,  as  they  do. 

Thursday,  25.  Most  of  the  brethren  went  away  to  their 
sugar-huts,  the  weather  being  good  and  the  water  lower. 

Saturday,  27.  Late  in  the  evening  came  a  messenger 
from  Sandusky,  not  for  us,  to  be  sure,  but  to  summon  home 
the  Indians  in  the  bush  here  and  there  off  hunting.  We 
learned  from  him  that  the  Indians  were  come  back  from 
Detroit,  and  we  inquired  about  the  state  of  affairs,  what 
was  the  common  talk  among  tbem.  He  said  he  knew 
thus  much,  that  ten  nations  there  had  declared  for  peace, 
to  which  they  were  exhorted,  and  that  they  had  agreed  to 
this  :  "Whenever  a  nation  from  now  henceforth  should  con- 
tinue to  do  harm,  all  the  others  would  look  after  it  and 
force  it  to  keep  peace.  This  was  very  pleasant  news  to 
us,  from  which  we.  could  see  that  the  Saviour  began  to 
make  ready  for  us  and  to  clear  hinderances  from  our  way. 

Sunday,  28.  Edwards  preached,  thereupon  was  the  com- 
munion quarter-hour.  The  messenger,  by  name  Mamasu, 
who  remained  here  to-day,  and  whom  all  the  Indian  breth- 
ren well  knew  to  be  a  bad  man,  who,  in  Schonbrunn  and 
Gnadenhiitten,  had  designs  against  the  life  of  the  brothers, 
and  when  he  long  lay  in  wait  for  them,  almost  executed 
his  murderous  plans,  (he)  wished  now  to  hear  about  the 
Saviour,  and  asked  the  Indian  brethren  to  tell  him  some- 
what, and  this  they  were  glad  to  do,  and  not  without 
effect,  for  he  said  afterwards  he  was  of  mind  to  come  to 
us,  and  to  change  his  ways,  that  he  had  neither  father  nor 
mother,  and  with  his  other  friends  [there  were  some  few 
of  them,  four  brothers  and  three  sisters]  he  had  already 
spoken,  and  they,  were  not  opposed.  The  reason  of  their 
coming  upon  such  thoughts  was  that  they  had  an  uneasy,' 
pitiable  life,  nothing  but  drunkenness  was  cared  for,  al- 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1787.  323 

though  he  drank  with  them,  yet  not  willingly,  and  as  they 
had  heard  they  would  be  free  from  this  if  they  came  to  us, 
all  would  like  to  be  with  us.  The  29th  he  still  staved 
here,  and  was  quite  disposed  to  remain  here  at  once,  and 
not  to  go  away  farther,  for  he  said,  the  message  with 
which  he  was  charged  did  not  hinder  him,  he  cared  noth- 
ing about  that,  for  Pipe  would  soon  send  another  in  case 
he  stayed  out  too  long,  but  to  this  we  did  not  advise 
him. 

Wednesday,  31.  The  Indian,  Mamasu,  resolved  to  stay 
here  for  good.  He  wished  neither  to  deliver  his  message, 
still  less  to  go  back,  for  fear  he  might  be  disturbed  in 
his  purpose  and  hindered  by  the  Indians.  We  advised 
him  neither  the  one  nor  the  other,  but  awaited  what 
would  happen,  and  only  wished  him  firmness. 

Saturday,  Feb.  3.  Our  dear  Lord  blessed  us  unspeak- 
ably by  the  enjoyment  of  his  body  and  blood  in  the  holy 
communion,  after  the  brethren  had  first  been  spoken  to. 

Sunday,  4.  After  the  communion  liturgy,  in  which  the 
brethren  were  recommended  to  have  always  in  their  hearts 
and  not  to  forget  the  sufi'ering,  passion,  and  death  of  our 
Lord,  and  to  interest  themselves  more  therein  [thus  would 
their  faults  and  shortcomings  be  ever  less,  and  the  breth- 
ren ever  more  welcome  and  a  greater  joy  and  pride  to  the 
Saviour],  was  the  sermon  by  Br.  David,  and  Br.  Edwards 
held  the  congregation  meeting.  The  assistants  spoke  with 
Mamasu,  whom  we  wished  to  put  on  probation,  and  they 
made  known  to  him  our  ordinances,  whereby  he  prom- 
ised to  conduct  his  life. 

Monday,  5.  In  the  early  service,  where  the  discourse 
was  about  the  Scripture-verse:  The  sons  also  of  them  that 
afflicted  thee  shall  come  bending  unto  thee,  the  breth- 
ren were  informed  that  Mamasu  had  permission  to  live 
with  us,  that  we  should  all  rejoice  if  he  throve  before  the 
Lord. 

[Thus  far  to  Bethlehem.] 

Wednesday,  7.  The  brethren  all  went  to  their  sugar- 
huts.     There   remained  at  home,  of  the  Indian  brethren, 


324  zeisberqer's  diary. 

Cornelius,  almost  blind,  and  Ephraim,  who  is  quite  blind, 
and  two  old  widows,  besides  us  white  brethren. 

Saturday,  10.  Mary  Magdalene  was  brought  to  bed  in 
the  sugar-huts — with  a  son. 

Sunday,  11.  Br.  Edwards  preached  about  the  good 
seed  in  the  field,  and  David  held  the  congregation  meet- 
ing. Quite  a  large  number  of  the  brethren  came  home, 
but, 

Monday,  12,  nearly  all  went  back  again.  A.  Charity 
remained  for  sugar-making,  with  our  permission. 

Wednesday,  14.  By  Peter,  who  went  to  Pettquotting, 
Mamasu  sent  back  to  Pipe  his  message  and  the  wam- 
pum. 

Sunday,  18.  A  good  many  brethren  came  home.  Br. 
David  preached  about  the  Saviour,  and  Br.  Edwards  held 
the  congregation  meeting.  In  a  book  that  came  by  chance 
into  our  hands  last  summer,  we  found  instruction  and  di- 
rection how  to  reckon  when  Easter  would  fall  this  year, 
and  we  found  it  would  be  April  8th,  according  to  our  cal- 
culation, for  we  had  neither  calendar  nor  Scripture-verses 
for  this  year. 

Monday,  19.  The  brethren  went  back  early,  each  one 
to  his  place  in  the  sugar-camp.  For  several  days  we  have 
pleasant  spring  weather. 

Wednesday,  21.  Chippewas  came  in  from  their  sugar- 
huts  -very  fine-looking,  friendly  Indians. 

Friday,  23.  An  Indian  came  through  here  as  messen- 
ger to  the  Indians  in  Gokhosing  (Vernon  River,  0.),  to 
summon  all  those  there  to  the  Miami,  whither  now  all  the 
Indians  are  going,  usually  no  good  token  of  peace.  We 
learn  that  the  nations  seem  to  incline  to  peace,  but  that 
all  depends  upon  a  treaty  the  nations  will  have  held  in 
Pittsburg. 

Sunday,  25.  Two  Chippewas  were  present  at  the  ser- 
mon, which  Br.  David  delivered,  one  of  whom  understood 
Delaware  somewhat.  At  the  end  of  this  the  little  son  of 
Renatus,  the  Mohican,  and  Alary  Magdalene,  born  in  the 
sugar-camp  on  the  10th  Inst.,  was  baptized  with  the  name 


ON   THE    CUYAHOGA,    1787.  325 

Timothy.  Br.  David  held  the  congregation  meeting  from 
the  Scripture-verse. 

Tuesday,  27.  By  Stephen  and  Adam,  who  went  to  the 
Fort,  we  sent  letters  to  Bethlehem. 

Friday,  March  2.  Peter,  with  his  people,  came  back 
from  Pettquotting,  where  he  saw  Luke  and  Anna  Jo- 
hanna, who  wish  themselves  back  with  us  and  are  not  at 
all  pleased  there.  "With  them  came  here  also  Petty,  who 
manifested  her  desire  to  be  with  us  again,  and  she  re- 
mained here. 

Sunday,  4.  The  brethren  who  are  not  far  off  came  home 
from  their  sugar-camp  for  the  services.  Br.  Edwards 
preached  and  Br.  David  held  the  congregation  meeting  in 
the  afternoon,  and  then  most  of  the  brethren  went  back 
again, 

Tuesday,  6.  Our  Samuel  became  suddenly  sick,  had 
Br.  David  called  in  the  night,  committed  to  him  his  wife 
and  children,  and  bade  him  not  to  permit  them  to  be  se- 
duced into  heathenism  by  their  friends  who  live  on  the 
Tawa  River,  if  he  should  die,  and  this  Br.  David  prom- 
ised him.  He  was  let  blood,  whereupon  the  next  day  he 
was  better. 

Saturday,  10.  Stephen  and  Adam  returned  from  Pitts- 
burg, gladdening  us  with  letters  from  Bethlehem,  dated 
last  year,  and  from  Br.  Ettwein,  of  Jan.  6th,  this  year;  q 

also  the  Scripture-verses  and  texts  for  this  year.  At  the 
same  time  we  had  a  message  from  Lieut. -Col.  Harmar  from 
Fort  Harmar,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Muskingum  [who  re- 
ceived the  order  from  Congress  and  was  to  execute  it], 
wherein  he  made  known  to  us  the  resolve  of  Congress  in 
our  favor  and  told  us  we  should  send  for  the  five  hundred 
bushels  of  corn  mentioned,  twenty  axes  and  twenty  hoes 
and  one  hundred  blankets  in  the   aforesaid  Fort  Harmar. 

Also  Gen.  Richard  Butler,  Agent  (for  Indian  Affairs), 
sent  us  word  in  a  lett'er  to  Br.  David  that  he  had  good 
hope  that  during  the  summer  all  differences  with  the  In- 
dians would  be  put  aside  and  every  thing  brought  into 
good  order.  Trustworthy  news  from  the  assembly  of  the 
nations,  he  wrote,  made  this  very  credible  to  him.    Messrs. 


326  zeisberger's  diary. 

Duncan  and  "Wilson,  however,  advised  us  at  the  same  time 
in  their  letter  to  remain  here  a  year  longer  and  to  plant. 
They  did  not,  indeed,  allege  their  flour  business,  which 
they  thought  safe  under  our  oversight,  but  because  they 
believed  that  during  this  summer  a  stable  peace  would  be 
made  again  with  the  Indians. 

Sunday,  11.  Br.  David  preached  and  thereupon  held  the 
communion  quarter-hour,  and  he  told  the  brethren  now 
that  we  had  the  news  from  the  proper  hand,  for  which  we 
had  always  waited,  what  Congress  had  resolved  in  their 
favor  and  for  which  they  had  given  orders  for  execution. 
This  was  communicated  by  the  speech  of  Lieut. -Col.  Har- 
mar,  which  he  sent  to  them  in  writing.  At  the  same  time 
they  were  told  to  prepare  for  departure  for  the  Muskingum, 
and  to  be  ready  to  do  what  was  needful.  We  observed 
that  most  of  them  were  glad  and  joyful  to  move  to  the 
Muskingum,  but  some  few  were  doubtful  about  it. 

Tuesday,  13.  An  Indian  on  his  way  from  Sandusky  to 
Pittsburg  came  here  and  stayed,  on  account  of  the  high 
water,  through  the  whole  week,  it  raining  much,  son  of 
the  departed  Jacob.  We  had  always  heard  that  the  In- 
dians were  all  moving  from  Sandusky  to  the  Miami,  as- 
sembling there,  and  this  is  usually  no  good  token,  and 
now  we  heard  the  contrary. 

Friday,  16.  Both  yesterday  and  to-day  the  brethren 
were  spoken  to,  for  they  had  all  come  together  from  the 
bush.  To  our  shame  (at  our  lack  of  faith)  we  found  that 
the  Saviour,  in  regard  to  our  wandering  and  moving  to 
the  Muskingum,  had  turned  the  hearts  of  the  brethren, 
giving  them  courage  and  inclination  thereto.  ISTone  of 
them  had  any  desire  to  move  to  Pettquotting  or  Sandusky  ; 
even  the  few  who  did  not  wish  to  go  to  the  Muskingum, 
on  account  of  their  children  and  friends  who  were  mur- 
dered there,  had  indeed  no  longing  for  this,  but  they 
wished  rather  to  go  with  the  greater  part  and  remain  with 
the  church  than  again  to  put  themselves  under  the  sav- 
ages. 

Saturday,    17.     At  the  Lord's  supper  were  present  as 


ON   THE    CUYAHOGA,    1787.  327 

candidates  two  sisters  and  two  maidens,  namely,  Cathrine, 
Esther,  Salome,  and  Anna  Salome. 

Sunday,  18.  After  the  communion  liturgy,  Br.  Edwards 
preached  and  David  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Tuesday,  20.  A  white  man  of  Pittsburg,  an  acquaint- 
ance, came  here  from  the  head  of  Great  Beaver  Creek, 
where  he  had  passed  the  winter  among  the  Indians,  bring- 
ing some  wares  and  things,  all  of  which  our  Indians 
bought  of  him.  We  heard  among  our  people  all  sorts  of 
unpleasant  things  about  our  moving.  There  appeared 
traces  of  obstinacy  [and  this  made  us  sad]  among  those 
from  whom  we  had  not  expected  it,  but  we  were  not  there- 
fore cast  down,  but  went  comforted  to  work.  Petty  went 
to  Sandusk}^,  promising  to  come  back  to  us  again.  Most 
of  the  brethren  went, 

Wednesday,  21,  to  work  making  canoes.  They  have  one 
ready  now  and  need  yet  still  seven  or  eight. 

Thursday,  22.     The  white  man  went  back  again. 

Saturday,  24.  Messrs.  Duncan  and  Wilson  came  here 
and  remained  until  the  26th.  They  spoke  with  us  about  our 
moving  to  the  Muskingum,  advising  us  to  remain  here, 
for,  as  they  said,  there  was  yet  no  peace  with  the  Indian 
nations,  and  the  times  were  still  very  uncertain  ;  for  this 
matter  they  had  instructions  from  Mr.  Butler  to  speak 
with  us.  Although  we  did  not  heed  this  much,  and  there- 
fore had  not  much  concern  about  it,  yet  through  Luke's 
sons,  on  the  evening  of  the  25th,  we  got  very  disagreeable 
news  and  threats  from  the  Indians,  that  if  we  moved 
Br.  David  would  be  killed,  and  this  caused  us  much  con- 
sideration. 

Sundaj^,  25.  (Annunciation.)  David  preached  and 
thereafter  held  the  service  for  to-day's  festival  from  the 
day's  text :  Forasmuch  then  as  the  children  are  partakers 
of  flesh  and  blood,  he  also  himself  took  part  of  the  same, 
about  the  great  blessing  and  the  great  grace  which  has 
become  the  portion  of  us  all,  small  and  great,  through  the 
Saviour's  incarnation,  passion,  and  death,  that  we  now  by 
Christ's  will  are  in  God's  grace  and  through  belief  in  him 
are  become  the  children  of  God. 


328  zeisberger's  diary. 

Monday,  26.  Edwards  held  early  service.  Messrs.  Dun- 
can and  Wilson  set  forth  on  their  way  to  Detroit,  one  of 
our  Indians  going  with  them  as  guide  as  far  as  Pettquot- 
ting.  Since  we  were  now  prepared  to  break  up  from  here 
after  the  Easter  holidays,  but  the  news  which  we  heard 
both  from  Pittsburg  and  from  the  Indian  land,  caused  us 
much  consideration  and  concern,  inasmuch  as  we  could 
not  see  plainly  and  clearly,  indeed  it  seemed  as  if  we 
were  again  hemmed  in  on  all  sides,  we  were  anxious  for 
consolation,  and  needed  advice  to  know  what  we  should 
do,  for  we  saw  no  outcome  for  our  Indian  brethren  about 
whose  well-being,  safety,  and  quiet  we  were  most  con- 
cerned, and  where  could  we  get  us  advice  save  from  him 
who  knows  beforehand  times  and  circumstances,  to  whom 
our  situation  and  perplexity  are  better  known  than  we 
can  tell  him,  who  alone  is  wise  and  the  best  adviser  in  all 
our  needs.  So  we  brought  our  circumstances  before  the 
Saviour,  and  begged  him  most  earnestly  and  pressingly  to 
advise  us  according  to  his  own  heart,  and  to  make  known 
to  us  his  gracious,  good,  and  agreeable  will.  After  much 
consideration  and  after  our  moving  to  the  Muskingum  at 
present  was  not  opposed  by  him,  and  our  other  plans  fell 
through,  we  saw  that  the  way  thither  was  barred  for  the 
time  being;  to  remain  here  was  also  impossible,  and  we 
had  no  other  resource  than  to  go  again  out  by  the  lake, 
whence  we  came  a  year  ago,  and  finally  as  we  had  but 
this  one  plan  in  reserve  wherewith  all  our  schemes,  thoughts, 
and  considerations  came  to  an  end,  the  Saviour  approved 
that  we  should  seek  a  place  of  refuge  between  the  Cuy- 
ahoga and  Pettquotting,  and  there  remain.  For  this  also 
we  brought  him  our  thanks  and  adored  him,  astonished 
and  full  of  awe  at  his  government,  which  he  carried  out 
among  us,  and  for  the  ways  which  he  went  with  us.  We 
must  place  our  hands  upon  our  mouths,  and  say  :  "  What 
he  does  and  ordains  is  right  and  well  done,  for  in  his  gov- 
ernment has  he  never  failed."  This  was  indeed  unex- 
pected by  us,  and  a  perfectly  new  scene  was  spread  open 
to  us,  something  which  now  indeed  we  could  not  under- 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1787.  329 


stand,  but  in  the,  future  should  better  understand  and 
comprehend,  why  it  should  so  be  and  not  otherwise. 

Tuesday,  27.  The  Indian  brethren  set  about  getting 
some  canoes  ready,  which  they  had  already  begun,  after 
we  had  first  spoken  with  the  assistants  and  made  known 
to  them  that  we  should  not  this  spring  go  to  the  Mus- 
kingum, but  back  again  to  the  lake,  whence  we  came. 
Many  were  in  thought  thereover  what  it  meant,  and  this 
we  could  not  indeed  quite  plainly  tell  them,  save  only 
that  times  and  circumstances  were  not  yet  settled,  and  as 
yet  there  was  no  stable  peace.  They  accommodated  them- 
selves very  well  to  this  and  were  also  quite  content.  We 
have  lately  observed  among  the  brethren  that  many,  es- 
pecially such  as  lost  their  children  and  friends  on  the  Mus- 
kingum, are  not  entirely  willing  to  go  thither,  but  yet  we 
have  also  found  that  none  of  them  would  have  remained 
behind,  and  wished  to  go  his  own  way,  if  we  had  gone 
there,  and  all  was  already  arranged  to  go  there  and  not 
elsewhere. 

Friday,  30.  As  it  was  rumored  among  the  brethren  that 
we  do  not  go  to  the  Muskingum,  but  back  again,  there 
secretly  spread  among  them  a  report  that  Br.  David  and 
his  wife  would  return  to  the  church,  that  Br.  Edwards 
would  go  with  them,  and  this  caused  much  unnecessary 
consideration  [and  some  said  to  us  they  would  go  with  us, 
whether  we  went  into  the  land  (of  the  States)  or  over  the 
lake],  for  this  had  some  only  resolved,  but  it  had  also  the 
result,  that  when  they  talked  about  it  among  themselves, 
they  said,  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  that  it  w^ould  be  no  won- 
der should  it  so  be,  they  had  already  caused  us  so  much 
anxiety,  but  if  this  time  only  we  would  stay  with  them, 
they  would  so  trouble  us  no  more,  but  from  now  on  would 
better  themselves,  through  the  Saviour's  grace. 

Sunday,  April  1.  Br,  Edwards  preached  to-day  from 
to-day's  Gospel  about  the  Saviour's  entrance  into  Jerusa- 
lem. Thereupon  was  the  communion  quarter-hour,  and 
towards  evening  the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scrip- 
ture-verse :  In  thy  presence  is  fulness  of  joy  ;  at  thy  right 
hand  there  are  pleasures  for  evermore.     Afterwards,  the 


330  zeisberger's  diary. 

brethren  were  told  we  had  hitherto  thoijghts  of  going  to 
the  Muskingum,  wheu  we  broke  up  here,  but  that  we  found 
our  circumstauces  such  that  it  was  not  yet  time  ;  to  remain 
here  we  also  found  not  well ;  we  should  then  select  a  place 
for  a  temporary  abode  between  here  and  Pettquotting,  but 
meanwhile  always  consider  our  appointed  place  on  the 
Muskingum  the  object  of  our  endeavors. 

I  will  here  introduce  an  example  to  show  how  the  Holy 
Ghost  preaches  among  the  brethren.  Many  brethren  and 
sisters  came  together  in  a  house,  talking  about  to-day's 
Gospel,  which  they  had  heard.  One  brother  said:  "I  have 
often  already  heard  that  which  I  heard  to-day,  but  it  has 
never  been  so  clear  to  me  as  to-day,  especially  the  words 
the  Saviour  spoke  :  My  house  shall  be  called  of  all  nations 
the  house  of  prayer,  but  ye  have  made  it  a  den  of  thieves." 
He  said:  "Our  body  is  a  temple,  a  house  of  the  Holy 
Grhost.  The  Saviour  has  washed  us  from  our  sins  by  his 
blood,  and  prepared  our  hearts  and  bodies,  that  he  may 
dwell  therein.  Henceforth  we  should  not  defile  God's 
temple,  nor  again  let  in  the  old  sinful  things  from  which 
our  Saviour  has  washed  and  cleansed  us;  we  must  always 
bear  in  mind  that  we  are  not  our  own,  but  that  we  belo»g 
to  the  Saviour,  body  and  so,ul,  and  therefore  keep  our- 
selves undefiled." 

Tuesday,  3.  Yesterday  and  to-day  the  Indian  brothers 
got  some  canoes  ready  and  brought  them  into  the  water, 
whereby  Samuel  dislocated  his  arm  for  the  fourth  time, 
which,  with  much  trouble,  was  at  last  brought  back  again. 
From  Pettquotting  came  Zachary,  bringing  a  message 
from  a  Monsey  chief  to  Br.  David  alone  :  "  Grandfather,  I 
hear  thou  willst  go  to  Thuppekiink,  but  I  advise  thee  not 
to  go  there  this  spring.  I  cannot  plainly  tell  thee  why, 
but  this  much,  it  is  not  yet  time.  I  can  also  say  nothing 
as  to  whether  there  will  be  war  or  peace  ;  that  depends 
upon  circumstances.  Think  not  that  I  oppose  thy  teach- 
ing the  Indians  God's  word  ;  that  is  dear  to  me,  but  I  ad- 
vise thee  well.  Go  not  to  Thuppekiink,  ye  might  all  sufi'er 
harm." 

Wednesday,  4.     Both  yesterday  and  to-day  the  breth- 


ON    THE    CUYAHOGA,    1787.  331 

ren  were  spoken  to,  for  there  is  much  which  is  unpleasant, 
and  this  makes  us  grieve,  yet  the  Saviour  again  sent  us 
much  peace  in  them. 

Thursday,  5.  Towards  evening  was  read  the  heart- 
moving*  storv  of  our  Saviour  on  the  Mount  of  Olives. 
Then  the  communion  brethren  had  the  washing  of  feet, 
and  thereupon  enjoyed  his  body  and  blood  in  the  holy 
communion  with  hungry  and  thirsty  souls.  Michael  was 
readmitted.  Two  young  sisters  and  two  grown  girls  were 
partakers  for  the  first  time.  This  was  indeed  something 
new,  for  hitherto  we  have  always  been  on  our  guard  about 
admitting  such  young  people  to  the  holy  communion,  but 
it  seems  the  Saviour  will  show  us  that  we  should  give 
more  thought  to  our  young  people  than  hitherto.  We 
have  found  many  times  from  experience  that  they  surpass 
the  old  in  attachment  to  the  Saviour  and  the  church.  They 
have  no  longer  taste  for  the  world  and  heathenism,  nor 
pleasure  therein.  They  will  not  remain  among  the  sav- 
ages, even  those  who  are  not  baptized,  but  have  grown  up 
in  the  church. 

Friday,  6.  The  story  of  our  Saviour's  sufierings,  cruci- 
fixion, death,  and  burial  was  heard  with  moved  and  melted 
hearts.  For  his  hard  and  bitter  suifering,  for  his  buflet- 
ings  and  scourgings,  for  all  the  wounds  he  received  for  us, 
for  his  outpouring  of  blood,  he  received  many  tears  of 
sinners,  and  the  brethren  could  not  hear  enough ;  it  was 
as  if  they  heard  for  the  first  time. 

Saturday,  9.  We  had  a  love-feast,  whereby  was  a  dis- 
course about  the  Saviour's  rest  in  the  grave  after  his  hard 
sufferings,  aud  then  about  the  Scripture- verse  and  text. 

Sunday,  8.  We  read  early  in  the  chapel,  having  here 
no  grave-yard,  the  Easter  litany.  Thereupon  was  a  part 
of  the  story  of  the  resurrection  read.  Br.  Edwards 
preached,  and,  in  the  afternoon  service,  Esther,  Cornelius' 
daughter,  a  single  woman,  was  taken  into  the  church,  and 
her  brother  baptized  into  Jesus'  death  with  the  name 
Tobias,  whose  father  Tobias  had  been  a  martyr  at  Gnaden- 
hiitten,  on  the  Muskingum. 

Monday,  9.     By  John  Leeth  and  two  Indians  with  him 


332  zeisberger's  diary. 

we  had  a  letter  from  Br.  Heckewelder  from  Pittsburg,  of 
the  2nd  of  this  month,  telling  us  of  his  arrival  there  with 
two  brothers,  Michael  Jung  and  Weigand.  "We  at  once 
made  preparations,  and  sent, 

Tuesday,  10,  several  brethren  there  with  horses  to  help 
them.  The  letters  from  Bethlehem,  however,  did  not 
come.  Samuel  went  also  with  a  couple  of  brethren  a 
good  day's  journey  from  here,  to  seek  a  place  for  our  set- 
tlement, where  we  thought  of  staying  as  soon  as  they 
came  back. 

Wednesday,  11.  Anna  Johanna  came  from  Pettquot- 
ting.  They  were  almost  shipwrecked  on  the  rocks  in  a 
storm.  These,  especially  Anna  Paulina,  when,  the  next 
morning,  they  were  at  early  service,  could  do  nothing  but 
weep,  at  again  hearing  the  word  of  God,  of  which  they 
had  heard  nothing  the  whole  winter,  but  they  accused 
themselves  and  called  themselves  guilty,  that  they  had  let 
themselves  be  so  blind. 

Friday,  13.  Samuel  came  back  with  the  two  brothers, 
Stephen  and  Adam,  from  their  exploration.  When  they 
went  away  from  here,  they  went  straight  through  the 
bush  to  the  head  of  the  very  creek  where  we  wished  to 
go.  There  they  met  a  party  of  Tawa  Indians  out  hunt- 
ing, who  told  them  that  farther  down  the  creek  they 
would  find  excellent  land.  They  made  then  a  bark  canoe, 
went  down  the  creek,  and  found  it  as  they  had  been  told, 
namely,  a  great  tract  of  good  land,  even  better  than  here, 
or  than  we  have  anywhere  had ;  it  was  partly  clear  and 
the  rest  easy  to  clear,  some  five  or  six  miles  from  the  lake, 
but  quiet  and  deep  water  so  far,  but  straightway  at  the 
upper  end  a  strong  current  and  rapids  begin.  Only  they 
said  they  could  find  no  town-site,  for  on  the  creek  there  is 
nothing  but  rich  bottom  land,  but  yet  this  lies  so  high 
that  water  can  never  overflow  it.  This  creek  is  half  way 
between  Cuyahoga  and  Pettquotting,^  the  only  place  we 
can  make  use  of,  and  there  is  no  other  to  be  found,  there- 
fore we  had  no  choice. 


^  Probixblv,  then.  Black  River. 


JOURNEY   TO    HURON   RIVER,    1787.  333 

Sunday,  15.  David  preaclied,  and  thereupon  held  a  serv- 
ice for  the  baptized.  We  had  six  brethren  baptized  this 
year,  and  three  taken  into  the  church,  whom  we  com- 
mitted to  the  Saviour  for  farther  oversight,  and  to  God, 
the  worthy  Ploly  Spirit,  for  his  care,  to  let  them  grow  in 
the  knowledge  and  love  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  thrive  in 
the  church  wholly  for  him.  From  Pettquotting  came  a 
French  trader,  on  his  own  business,  in  quest  of  a  strange 
Indian,  and  stayed  over  night.  Br.  Edwards  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  One  of  our  Indians,  Mamasu,  who 
went  to  the  Tuscarawas  and  lay  alone  in  the  bush,  was 
fallen  upon  at  night  by  two  wolves.  One  of  them  at- 
tacked his  dog,  which  gave  the  alarm.  The  Indian  seized 
his  musket  at  once,  and  while  the  other  wolf  was  spring- 
ing upon  him,  he  jumped  over  the  fire,  and  shot  him  dead 
in  his  camp ;  he  then  ran  at  once  to  help  his  dog,  where- 
upon the  other  wolf  took  flight,  but  his  dog  was  so  very 
much  hurt  that  he  had  to  carry  him  the  next  day. 

Monday,  16.  David  held  the  early  service.  He  told 
the  brethren  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  start  from 
here  within  two  or  three  days,  as  many  as  could,  for  we 
could  not  all  wait  until  those  from  the  Fort  had  come 
back. 

Thursday,  19.  After  the  early  service,  in  which,  at  the 
end,  we  thanked  the  Saviour  in  prayer  for  all  the  good- 
ness, kindness,  and  blessing  we  had  here  enjoyed  from 
him,  and  had  further  recommended  us  to  his  grace  and 
guidance,  and  after  we  had  thereupon  loaded  our  canoes, 
we  went,  some  by  water  down  to  the  lake,  while,  at  the 
same  time,  they  who  went  by  land  began  their  journey 
with  Br.  Zeisberger  and  his  wife,  but  Br.  Edwards  with 
those  by  water.     We  came, 

Friday,  20,  to  Stone  Creek  (Rocky  Eiver,  perhaps), 
where  we  found  some  canoes,  most  having  passed  the  most 
dangerous  place,  namely,  the  steep  rocks,  and  some  had 
already  got  a  good  distance  beyond,  but,  on  account  of 
high  wind,  had  to  come  to  land.  A  year  ago  to-day  we 
left  Huron  River. 

Saturday,  21.     There  was  a  hard  wind  from  the  north 


334  zeisberger's  diary. 

and  north-west,  on  which  account  the  canoes  had  to  lie 
still.  The  waves  struck  so  hard  upon  the  rocks  that  the 
ground  trenribled  at  times,  for  the  wind  came  straight 
from  the  lake.  Those  on  land  also  kept  still  on  the  22nd, 
for  the  night  before  they  fished  by  torchlight,  and  speared 
some  hundred  large  fish,  weighing  from  three  to  ten 
pounds  each,  which  they  had  to  cook  and  dry  on  the  ^ay. 

Monday,  23.  We  left  the  canoes  and  set  forth  upon  our 
way.  It  was  yet  too  windy  upon  the  lake  to  start.  In  the 
evening  we  encamped. 

Tuesday,  24.  We  turned  from  the  way  along  the  lake, 
going  some  miles  through  the  bush  straight  to  our  place, 
and  when  we  came  to  our  creek  where  we  wished  to  go, 
we  found  ourselves  on  a  high  hill,  from  which  down  into 
the  plain  we  could  overlook  the  whole  country,  as  it  were 
a  beautiful,  pleasant  garden.  We  went  from  there  across 
the  land,  pleased  with  every  thing  we  saw.  We  found  it 
just  as  the  brethren  who  had  been  here  described  it,  and 
even  better,  for  there  is  almost  as  much  clear  land  as  we 
shall  all  need.  It  is  true,  as  they  said,  we  have  nowhere 
had  such  good  land.  W^e  encamped  near  the  creek,  which 
is  deep,  and  thus  far  no  strong  stream,  for  the  lake  checks 
it  thus  far  ;  a  little  further  up,  just  above  us,  the  stream  be- 
gins. In  the  evening  Samuel,  the  only  Indian  brother  with 
us,  went  fishing,  and  had  in  a  short  time  more  fish  than 
were  necessary.  They  are  a  sort  of  pike,  which  now  at 
this  time  go  in  great  numbers  from  the  lake  into  the  creek. 

Wednesday,  25.  Those  who  set  out  by  water  at  the  same 
time  with  us  got  here.  They  started  this  morning  with 
still  water  from  Stone  Creek  at  daybreak,  and  came  by  good 
luck  this  afternoon  into  this  creek,  when  a  strong  wind 
arose,  and  the  lake  was  already  quite  rough.  We  found 
now  that  we  were  some  five  miles  from  the  lake,  and  if  the 
wind  comes  thence  we  can  plainly  hear  it  roar.  In  the 
evening  we  unloaded  our  canoes  and  brought  our  things 
where  it  was  dry ;  pleasantest  and  best  was  it  to  have  had 
fair  wGather  during  the  whole  journey. 

Thursday,  26.  We  got  rainy  weather,  and  each  one 
built  himself  a  hut.    The  sisters  dug  wild  potatoes,  of  which 


JOURNEY    TO    HURON    RIVER,    1787.  335 

there  are  many  here,  a  very  wholesome  food  for  Indians. 
Matthew,  Cornelius'  son,  who  came  here  yesterday  from 
the  Miami,  said  that  Titawachkam  wanted  to  give  him  a 
message  for  us,  which  he  would  not  receive,  but  told  him 
he  might  deliver  his  message  himself,  whereupon  so  much 
was  told  him  by  word  of  mouth  ;  to  say  to  us  that  soon 
something  would  be  told  us  by  the  chiefs  to  something  this 
effect :  We  should  not  plant  here,  but  come  to  Sandusky, 
where  they  had  made  a  place  for  us.  Many  bad  threats 
were  also  added  if  we  refused,  and  this  again  caused  us 
much  anxiety.  -He  said  at  the  same  time  that  the  Indians 
always  held  themselves  ready  for  war. 

1^'riday,  27.  A  canoe  went  to  Cuyahoga  to  help  forward 
those  who  went  to  the  Fort.  David  held  evening  service 
from  the  Scripture-verse.  The  Indian  brethren  brought 
in  clear  alum,  which  they  got  from  the  rocks  on  the  creek, 
and  they  said  there  was  plenty  to  be  had.  Another  canoe 
went  to  Pettquotting  to  get  corn,  a  good  day's  journey 
from  here,  but  before  they  came  out  of  the  creek  into  the 
lake  they  were  stopped  by  Titawachkam,  who  came  here 
with  Luke,  bringing  us  a  message  from  the  chiefs,  Pipe, 
Welandawecken,  and  Pomoacan,  and  as  he  was  in  haste 
to  turn  back  again  he  ordered  the  brethren  to  assemble  at 
once,  sa3'ing  he  had  something  important  to  tell  us.  As 
Br.  David  was  not  present  when  this  occurred,  he  had  hira 
called,  for  to  him,  he  said,  he  had  something  to  say  per- 
sonally. When  he  came  he  made  first  an  introductory 
speech,  saying  that  he  was  sent  by  Ijie  aforesaid  three 
chiefs  to  make  known  to  us  quickly  their  mind  and  will 
before  it  should  be  too  late,  since  spring  was  at  the  door. 
On  our  behalf  they  had  held  a  council  and  considered  for 
our  good  and  resolved  how  and  where  we  could  dwell 
quiet,  safe  and  undisturbed.  The  chiefs  meant  well  by  us 
and  wished  much  we  might  accept  their  message.  The 
message,  accompanied  by  a  string  of  wampum,  was  as  fol- 
lows :  "  Friends,  ye  believing  Indians,  we  have  thought 
upon  you  for  your  good,  considered  and  resolved  that  for 
the  present  ye  can  nowhere  live  so  quietly  and  securely 
as  near  us  on  the  Sandusky  River,  neither  here  where  ye 


336  ^eisberger's  diary. 

are,  nor  in  Pettquotting,  nor  elsewhere  in  Cuyahoga. 
Our  uncle,  Pomoacan,  gives  you  a  piece  of  land  between 
the  Lower  Wyandot  Town  and  Monsey  Town,  where 
I  live;  there  ye  can  plant  and  fish,  settle,  and  continue 
your  worship  of  God  undisturbed,  and  no  one  will  trouble 
you  or  put  any  thing  in  your  way,  for  every  one  knows  the 
chiefs  have  made  ready  unanimously  the  place  for  you.  If 
you  agree  to  this  it  will  be  well  for  you.  I  do  not  say 
that  ye  shall  first  much  consider  about  it,  for  it  has  all  been 
considered,  and  ye  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  arise.  I  take 
you  by  the  hand  /ind  lead  you  to  your  appointed  place, 
which  is  made  ready  for  you." 

Thereupon  he  turned  to  Br.  David  and  said  farther, 
likewise  with  another  string :  "  Hear,  my  friend,  my  rela- 
tive. Thou  art  my  grandfather,  my  flesh  and  blood,  of 
my  color.  My  forefathers,  our  chiefs,  have  adopted  thee 
into  our  nation.  I  know  well,  over  what  they  have  agreed 
together  concerning  thy  person.  One  of  the  then  chiefs, 
still  in  life,  has  given  me  a  commission  in  thy  behalf  to 
have  care  of  thee,  for  no  chief  is  here,  and  not  to  permit 
any  harm  to  happen  to  thee  in  these  yet  unquiet  times; 
this  is  not  unknown  to  the  chiefs  here,  they  are  perfectly 
well  aware  that  I  am  placed  here  by  my  chiefs  to  conduct 
thine  afiairs,  they  know  thus  that  thou  art  in  good,  safe 
hands,  and  that  no  harm  will  happen  to  thee,"  whereupon 
he  handed  the  string  to  Br.  David. 

Afterwards  we  yet  spoke  much  with  him,  telling  him 
our  anxiety  about  living  so  near  other  towns ;  first,  on 
account  of  their  drunkenness;  secondly,  on  account  of 
the  seduction  of  our  young  people;  thirdly,  on  account  of 
our  cattle.  To  this  he  answered  they  had  thought  about 
this  too,  and  come  to  an  understanding  about  every  thing; 
their  young  people  would  be  told  not  to  be  troublesome  to 
us,  nor  do  us  harm;  therefore  he  was  there  if  we  had  any 
thing  to  complain  of,  it  would  not  be  needful  for  us  to  do 
ourselves  justice,  but  we  should  only  tell  him,  he  would 
conduct  our  affiiirs  at  the  proper  place,  and  provide  what 
was  right.  Difi"erent  brothers  told  him  their  thoughts  and 
fears.     Abraham  said  that  what  the  chief  told  us  was  al- 


JOURNEY    TO    HURON    RIVER,    1787.  337 

/ 

ways  fair,  if  only  we  could  depend  upon  it  that  they  were 
speaking  the  truth.  When  they  took  us  away  from  our 
towns  on  the  Muskingum  they  had  also  said  we  should  not 
regard  our  plantations,  we  should  find  enous^h  to  eat 
where  we  were  going,  but  afterwards  they  gave  us  not  a 
grain  of  corn  except  what  we  had  to  buy  enormously  dear. 
Another  said  they  had  already  thus  promised  us  Pettquot- 
ting,  had  told  us  to  dwell  on  the  Sandusky  wherever  we 
pleased,  but  afterwards  bade  us  get  out  of  that  country, 
and  Br.  David  said  to  him  that  they  had  also  promised 
them  that  they  should  have  and  keep  their  teachers  with 
them,  and  should  continue  to  hold  their  worship  of  God 
unhindered,  but  yet  they  had  deprived  them  of  their 
teachers,  and  driven  them  over  the  lake.  He  had  to  hear 
a  good  deal  which  he  could  not  deny,  but  he  said  it  was 
all  true,  he  knew  well  enough,  but  it  should  no  more  hap- 
pen. Some  said  again  that  they  should  go  not  only  with 
great  reluctance  to  Sandusky  to  live,  but  were  quite  op- 
posed to  going,  from  which  he  could  see  that  our  Indians 
were  more  against  it  than  we  were,  but  yet  afterwards 
they  went.  After  we  had  talked  over  all  sorts  of  things 
with  him,  and  had  also  inquired  how  far  the  place 
was  distant  from  other  towns,  he  told  us  we  should  be 
seven,  eight,  or  nine  miles  from  his  town,  but  from  the 
Wyandot  town  we  should  be  much  farther  off;  then  we 
separated,  and,  as  he  wanted  to  turn  back  towards  home 
to-day,  we  spoke  with  our  Indian  brethren,  telling  them 
our  mind  and  disposition,  for  we  can  plainly  see  that  we 
have  no  choice,  we  should  cause  ourselves  nothing  but  vexa- 
tion, trouble,  and  all  manner  of  hardship  if  we  wished  to 
oppose,  and  then  should  accomplish  nothing  ;  therefore  we 
advised  them  to  give  their  consent  and  acquiescence  for 
going  to  Sandusky,  and  this  they  did,  seeing  that  we  con- 
sented. We  gave  our  answer  by  a  string  of  wampum  that 
we  wished  to  do  what  they  required  of  us,  and  would  go 
there  when  they  had  appointed.  But  to  the  clause  con- 
cerning Br.  David  we  added  a  clause,  to  wit :  that  the 
brothers  who  were  with  him  should  have  the  same  regard 
22 


338  "  zeisberger's  diary. 

paid  them,  and  the  same  privilege  as  he  had,  or  if  he 
should  pass  from  time,  and  another  come  in  his  stead,  that 
there  should  be  the  same  arrangement.  The  whole  mat- 
ter, as  regards  this  point,  is  expressly  to  be  seen  in  the 
diary  of  the  Mission  on  the  Ohio  for  the  year  1770,  in  the 
months  of  May,  June,  or  July. 

Though  we  could  not  quite  rejoice  about  this  circum- 
stance and  occurrence,  for  it  went  against  our  mind, 
thought,  and  will,  and  was  something  we  could  not 
do  willingly,  and  yet  must  do,  we  were  comforted  by 
to-day's  Scripture-verse  to  thank  the  Lord  therefor.  It 
read  :  Give  thanks  unto  the  God  of  gods,  give  thanks  to 
the  Lord  of  lords,  to  him  who  alone  doeth  great  wonders, 
and  this  we  did,  but  for  the  present  still  in  faith.  Br. 
Edwards  held  the  service  in  the  evening. 

Saturday,  28.  We  sent  a  messenger  to  Cuyahoga,  to 
give  the  brethren  still  remaining  there  news  of  our  situa- 
tion, and  to  bid  them  follow  us  as  soon  as  possible.  Luke* 
who  remained  over  night,  went  away,  with  whom  Br.  David 
spoke  in  a  straightforward  and  earnest  way,  laying  before 
him  every  thing,  which  he  denied. 

Sunday,  29.  Br.  David  held  service  in  the  forenoon 
and  Edwards  in  the  evening. 

Monday,  30.  At  noon  came  Br.  Michael  Jung,  with  the 
messenger  from  Cuyahoga,  where,  with  Br.  Weigand,  he 
had  come  from  Pittsburg  three  days  before,  by  whom,  to 
our  heartfelt  joy,  we  got  letters  from  the  church,  where- 
with we  were  busy  all  the  afternoon  and  refreshed  our- 
selves. He  came  to  us  even  here  in  the  bush  on  our  pil- 
grimage. He  had  left  Br.  John  Weigand  in  Cuyahoga 
with  our  brethren,  who  were. behind  and  for  whom  we 
were  waiting.  In  the  evening  service  the  brethren  were 
greeted  by  the  churches  and  brothers,  and  were  told  that 
Br.  John,  who  much  loved  the  Indian  brethren,  had  sent 
them  a  message  in  writing,  which  they  should  hear  so  soon 
as  they  should  all  be  together. 

Tuesday,  May  1.  Michael  Jung  held  evening  service 
from  the  Scripture-verse.  " 

Wednesday,  2.     Last  night  and  to-day  was  a  high  wind. 


JOURNEY    TO    THE    HURON    RIVER,    1787.  339 

The  lake  was  not  to  be  travelled  and  we  could  not  expect 
our  brethren.  Br.  Edwards  held  service.  We  learned 
late  this  evening  that  Br.  John  Weigand  had  come  to  the 
lake  below  with  Br.  Sehebosh  and  his  wife,  William  and 
others,  and  encamped  there.     The  first  came, 

Thursday,  3,  early  to  us,  as  we  were  upon  the  point  of 
breaking  up  to  move  on,  yet  we  welcomed  and  greeted 
one  another  and  rejoiced  together.  We  then  soon  went 
away,  leaving  our  pleasant  place,  which  in  every  way 
pleased  all  who  saw  it,  and  we  left  our  huts  standing, 
which  we  had  made,  and  went  down  to  the  lake,  where 
we  encamped ;  here  we  waited  for  the  remaining  canoes 
from  Cuyahoga. 

Friday,  4.  It  was  very  windy  last  night  and  to-day, 
but  as  the  wind  came  from  the  south  and  did  not  hinder 
us,  two  canoes  went  ahead  to  Pettquotting  to  get  corn. 
Five  canoes  came  to  us  from  Cuyahoga,  for  which  we  have 
been  waiting,  so  that  now  Cuyahoga  is  quite  deserted  and 
we  are-  all  together.  With  them  came  to  us  John  Leeth, 
with  his  wife  and  children,  who  came  with  the  brothers 
from  Pittsburg.  As  in  the  evening  there  was  windy,  rainy 
weather,  we  could  have  no  service,  but  Samuel  had  in  his 
hut  an  hour  of  song,  at  which  many  brethren  were  pres- 
ent, Mamasu,  who  has  already  often  spoken  with  Br. 
David,  being  in  great  perplexity  about  himself,  came  of  his 
own  accord  and  from  the  restlessness  of  his  heart,  and  had 
■an  upright,  fraternal  talk  with  him.  Afterwards  also  he 
brought  to  Br.  David  his  brother,  who  had  come  with  the 
brethren  from  Cuyahoga,  having  gone  there  from  hunting, 
and  said  that  he  too  would  like  to  live  with  us  and  become 
a  believer;  to  whom  Br.  David  said  he  should  first  learn 
about  us  by  seeing  and  hearing,  so  that  he  could  well  con- 
sider and  not  afterwards  repent. 

Saturday,  5.  Early  the  wind  was  still  good  for  us.  We 
made  every  preparation  for  running  out  and  going  to 
Pettquotting,  but  before  we  were  ready  the  wind  went 
around  to  the  west  and  was  very  strong,  so  that  the  lake 
raged  and  roared.  We  had  to  remain  encamped  here,  but 
got  our  cattle  over  the  river,  which  is  here  quite  wide,  and 


340  zeisberger's  diary. 

encamped  on  the  west  side,  where  we  were  somewhat  out 
of  the  wind, 

Sunday,  6.  Br.  Zeisberger  and  his  wife  went  on  ahead 
with  those  who  were  going  by  land  with  the  cattle,  so  that 
if  the  wind  became  favorable  the  canoes  might  not  have 
to  wait  for  them  and  we  might  not  hinder  one  anotlier. 
They  came, 

Monday,  7,  towards  noon,  the  wind  not  changing,  to  the 
mouth  of  a  deep  creek  (Vermillion  River,  perhaps),  where 
they  swam  the  cattle  over,  and  making  a  bark  canoe,  got 
the  men  and  baggage  over,  and  then  went  along  the  lake 
till  evening.  At  the  night-quarters  we  saw  on  the  shore 
of  the  lake  an  interesting  occurrence,  which  may  often 
happen  here  on  these  lofty  shores.  A  great  mass  of  land, 
together  with  the  trees  which  stood  on  it,  close  and  high, 
was  torn  from  the  land  and  carried  a  good  piece  out  into 
the  lake  and  made  at  once  an  island.  The  wood  standins: 
on  it  was  not  in  the  least  injured  and  continued  to  grow 
as  before.^  From  this  one  can  form  some  slight  idea  of 
the  earthquakes  in  Italy,  by  which  also  tracts  of  land  are 
moved,  but  yet  an  earthquake  was  not  the  cause  here. 

Tuesday,  8.  Since  the  bush  in  which  we  encamped  was 
very  wild  and  thick,  we  had  this  morning  long  labor  in 
getting  the  cattle  together.  We  came  in  the  afternoon  to 
Pettquotting,^  and  encamped  a  mile  from  the  lake  on  the 
creek,  where  a  French  trader  lives,  who  entertained  Br. 
Zeisberger  and  his  wife  with  bread,  butter,  and  bush-tea, 
which  tasted  right  well,  for  we  were  hungry. 

Here  the  Indians,  whom  we  met,  advised  us  against 
going  to  Sandusky,  Among  them  was  Weschnasch 
[Frederick],  one  of  our  baptized,  who  told  us  we  had  been 
deceived  with  the  statement  that  the  Monsey  town  was 
eight  miles  from  our  place ;  that  it  was  not  over  two  miles 
off,  and  that  we  should  be  much  plagued  there  by  sots. 
This  was  indeed  such  good  reason  for  alarm  that  we 
thought  much  about  it  and  our  Indian  brethren,  who  did 

^  I  do  not  understand  Zeisberger  to  speak  as  an  eye-witness. 
*  Huron  River,  flowing  through  Huron  and  Erie  counties. 


JOURNEY    TO    THE    HURON    RIVER,    1787.  341 

•  not  want  to  go  there,  said  we  should  all  be  ruined — first, 
through  the  drunkenness;  secondly,  because  we  came  too 
late  for  planting,  and  we  should  again  have  to  pass  a  whole 
year  of  famine. 

In  the  evening  came  Benjamin  from  the  brethren  on  the 
water,  bringing  a  letter  from  Br.  Michael  Jung,  who 
told  us  that  late  last  evening  some  canoes  ran  into  the 
creek  where  we  swam  our  cattle  over  and  made  a  ca- 
noe, that  Br.  Edwards  with  his  canoe  had  sunk  in  the 
waves,  and  that  others  had  to  go  back  a  part  of  the  way 
in  retreat  before  they  could  come. 

"Wednesday,  9.  We  lay  still  in  Pettquotting,  waiting  for 
the  canoes,  to  which  some  of  our  Indians  carried  some 
provisions  and  corn  they  had  bought  here ;  by  these  Br. 
David  wrote  to  the  single  brothers,  Edwards,  Jung,  and 
Weigand.  At  the  evening  service  some  strange  Indians 
were  present. 

Thursday,  10.  In  the  afternoon  the  three  single  broth- 
ers cam«  to  us,  and  also  some  canoes  which  had  got  to 
the  river  before  the  wind  grew  so  strong,  but  the  others 
had  to  run  to  land  farther  back,  and  first  got  to  us  in 
the  evening,  and  then  we  were  all  together  again. 

They  were  so  lucky  yesterday  when  they  had  to  lie  still 
as  to  shoot  an  elk  and  a  deer,  so  that  they  all  had  meat. 
We  considered  here  what  was  farther  to  be  done,  for  we 
saw  that  we  were  not  lords  of  the  lake,  which  so  hin- 
dered us  that  we  should  yet  use  up  a  month  in  getting 
to  Sandusky,  and  then  first  have  to  clear  the  land,  and  so 
we  dared  think  of  no  planting.  Since  now  we  have  be- 
fore us  here  up  the  river  old  fields,  which  were  planted 
last  year,  although  not  quite  enough  for  us  all,  yet  we 
found  it  unanimously  best  to  remain  here  and  to  plant, 
though  we  could  expect  nothing  else  than  to  be  harassed 
here,  but  we  resolved  to  put  the  matter  through  with 
earnestness,  for  it  is  as  if  every  efi^ort  were  made  to  bring 
us  again  to  misery  and  hunger.  God  help  us  out  of  this 
need !  In  the  evening  was  a  service  from  the  Scripture- 
verse.  We  went  up  the  river  with  a  number  of  brethren 
to  see  the  place,  and  found  along  the  river  many  fine 


342  zeisberger's  diary. 

plantations,  and  as  far  as  we  went  deep  and  still  water  as   * 
if  there  were  ebb  and  flow. 

Friday,  11.  Our  Indians  in  part  bought,  in  part  bor- 
rowed corn  from  the  Frenchman,  under  the  condition  of 
paving  it  back  again  in  the  autumn,  which  was  very  kind 
of  him,  only  it  was  a  pity  we  had  not  much,  but  there  were 
in  the  place  where  we  thought  of  remaining,  some  forty 
or  fifty  bushels  buried,  which  we  could  have  for  a  dollar 
a  bushel,  and  this  was  just  what  we  needed.  In  the  after- 
noon we  went  some  miles  up  the  river,  to  the  place  where 
we  thought  of  remaining  and  planting,  and  encamped. 
It  was  a  solitary  place,  a  wilderness  where  nobody  lived, 
but  before  it  was  quite  dark  a  town  of  huts  stood  there, 
and  the  place  was  lighted  by  fires.  Our  Indian  assistants 
and  brethren,  however,  were  not  quite  at  their  ease  about 
remaining  here,  fearing  that  we  should  soon  get  another 
message,  and  that  no  peace  would  be  allowed  us  here,  bat 
that  very  likely  we  should  be  driven  away  by  force,  though 
want  urges  us  and  we  cannot  possibly  go  farther.  Under 
these  circumstances  the  worst  and  most  oppressive  is  that 
among  the  Indians  it  is  hard  to  come  behind  a  thing  and 
learn  the  truth,  for  as  soon  as  one  only  knows  how  things 
peculiarly  hang  together  and  are  developed,  it  is  easier  and 
we  could  resolve  upon  something,  but  before  this  occurs 
we  are  in  the  dark.  We  heard  here  from  strange  Indians 
as  if  Titawachkam  were  acting  for  himself,  and  would 
make  himself  chief,  but  that  the  other  chiefs  knew  little 
about  the  thing ;  behind  him  Luke  puts  himself,  and  the 
two  work  together,  and,  as  it  seems,  it  is  they  who  make 
us  so  much  need,  anxiety,  and  uncertainty.  Br.  David 
therefore  conferred  with  the  assistants  until  after  mid- 
night, and  it  was  settled  that  the  two  Indians  should  go 
to  Pipe,  lay  before  him  our  necessity,  and  talk  the  matter 
out  with  him  in  order  to  learn  how  we  were  situated,  what 
was  truth  and  what  was  not  truth,  in  short  to  come  to  an 
understanding  with  him  about  every  thing. 

Saturda}^,  12.  There  came  from  Sandusky  Pipe's 
Longus,^  as  if  summoned,  fi'om  whom  we  heard  much  for 

1  See  this  word  under  Oct.  23,  1790. 


HURON   EIVER,   1787.  343 

our  comfort,  finding  out  also  that  Pipe  was  td  be  found  at 
home.  The  brothers,  William  and  Thomas,  set  out  on 
their  journey  thither  in  the  afternoon.  Towards  evening 
the  Chippewa  with  his  family  came  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Sandus-ky  to  visit  us,  who  had  passed  the  winter  near  us 
in  Cuyahoga,  and  after  his  usual  way  he  was  very  friendly, 
remaining  over  night.  William  and  Thomas  went  on  our 
business  to  Sandusky. 

Sunday,  13.  Br.  David  preached,  and  Weigand  held 
the  evening  service  under  the  open  heaven. 

Monday,  14.  The  Indian  brethren  divided  the  cleared 
land  among  themselves,  and  we  found  there  was  much 
more  of  it  than  we  had  supposed,  so  that  they  would  not 
be  obliged  to  clear  more,  but  merely  to  plant.  This  is  a 
great  help.  The  plantations  lie  favorably,  for  we  shall 
not  have  to  make  fences,  and  we  dwell  on  the  east  side  of 
the  creek  upon  a  considerable  height.  The  place  did  not 
altogether  please  us  as  much  as  we  wished,  moreover,  the 
water  in  the  river  is  bad,  especially  in  summer.  We  must, 
however,  take  it  as  it  is,  and  still  be  glad,  if  we  may  stay 
here  and  can  be  quiet.  Br.  Michael  held  service  from  the 
Scripture- verse :  Let  the  whole  earth  be  filled  with  his 
glory. 

Tuesday,  15.  All  went  earnestly  to  planting  to  get 
seed-corn  into  the  ground  as  soon  as  might  be.  In  the 
afternoon  Brs.  William  and  Thomas  came  back  from  San- 
dusky, where  they  had  heard  that  Pipe  was  not  to  be 
found  at  home,  having  gone  away  to  the  Wabash.  They, 
therefore,  found  it  best,  from  good  reasons,  to  go  to  the 
Wyandot  chief,  at  Lower  Sandusky,  and  this  they  did, 
after  having  made  known  to  him  our  arrival  at  Pettquot- 
ting  by  a  string  of  wampum,  and  they  represented  to  him 
t.hat  we  could  not  possibly,  this  spring,  go  up  to  San- 
dusky over  so  many  falls,  that  this  would  use  up  a  month, 
and  we  should  lose  the  time  for  planting,  so  that,  at  some 
other  time,  we  could  travel  farther;  in  accordance  with 
their  request,  we  were  come  thus  far,  but  could  go  no 
farther.  The  Wyandot  chief  showed  by  a  string  of  wam- 
pum his  satisfaction   that  we  were  come  so  far,  and  per- 


344  zeisberger's  diary. 

mitted  us  to  plant  here,  but  not  to  busy  ourselves  much 
in  building,  as  we  had  elsewhere  been  accustomed,  since 
we  should  not  long  remain  here,  but  meanwhile  we  must 
be  content  with  huts  until  we  came  to  our  appointed 
place.  This  was  very  pleasant  and  agreeable  for  us  to 
hear,  as  we  had  also  hoped  that  so  much  would  be  per- 
mitted us,  should  we  go  to  the  right  man,  and  we  were 
now  for  a  time  somewhat  comforted  over  our  circumstances. 
One  thing,  however,  caused  us  trouble  and  perplexity, 
namely,  that  we  now  saw  that  we  had  been  deceived  in  be- 
ing told  that  our  place  lay  seven  or  eight  miles  from  the 
Monsey  town,  for  it  is  not  more  than  two  miles  in  a  straight 
line,  and  this  occasioned  much  consideration,  since  we  saw 
that  great  damage  could  therefrom  spring  up  for  us,  yes, 
that  we  might  be  eaten  and  swallowed  by  the  savages,  unless 
the  powerful  and  extraordinary  hand  and  might  of  God 
should  rule  over  us.  Therefore,  we  were  discomforted, 
and  remained  so,  although  the  Saviour,  who  does  what  he 
will  in  heaven  and  upon  earth,  may  change  time  and  cir- 
cumstances. We  were  already  well  enough  aware  that 
we  are  under  the  rule  of  heathen,  and  could  now  no 
longer  do  in  every  way  as  we  would  and  should.  On  this 
point  we  find  it  hard  that  we  are  not  our  own  masters. 
On  the  contrary,  considered  from  the  other  side,  it  is 
■quite  in  accordance  with  our  purpose  that  we  dwell  among 
them,  it  is  indeed  our  calling  to  preach  them  the  Gospel, 
and  that  cannot  be  done  if  we  are  distant  from  them. 
We  must  let  ourselves  be  content  to  be  in  the  midst  of 
Satan's  nest,  where  he  is  visibly  lord  and  king,  and  where 
we  are  surrounded  by  devils,  for  in  each  of  the  wild  In- 
dians there  lurk  who  knows  how  many,  and  this  is  not  a 
mere  figure  of  speech,  but  it  is  really  so.  In  the  evening 
we  had  thunder,  with  rain,  and  could  hold  no  meeting. 
From  Gigeyunk  (Ft.  Wayne),  where  now  all  the  Indians 
draw  together,  the  brethren  brought  news  of  there  being 
very  great  famine  among  the  Indians,  no  corn  nor  means 
of  living  to  be  had,  that  the  children  waste  away  from 
hunger,  and  yet  all  go  thither,  where  many  will  find  their 
graves.     There  is  such  confusion  among  the  Indians  that 


HURON  RIVER,  1787.  345 

it  is  impossible  to  describe  it.     They  flee,  and  know  not 
before  what,  and  run  straight  to  death. 

Wednesday,  16.  All  were  busy  planting.  There  came 
some  Chippewas  here  visiting,  who  stayed  over  night. 
Br.  Edwards  held  the  meeting. 

Thursday,  17.  We  assembled  early  before  our  Lord, 
who  for  us  has  ascended  into  heaven,  and  begged  for  his 
blessing.  After  relation  of  the  story,  for  there  was  no 
book  at  hand,  and  a  discourse  from  the  Scripture-verse : 
He  is  thy  Lord,  worship  thou  him,  we  begged  for  his  pres- 
ence, his  wandering  with  as  in  our  pilgrimage,  his  near- 
ness and  communion  both  with  us  in  common  and  for 
each  heart  separately.  We  committed  ourselves  especially 
to  his  and  the  care  and  oversight  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  of 
which,  in  our  present  circumstances,  we  have  unusual 
need,  and  to  the  eye  and  watchman  of  Israel  for  grace  in 
the  future.  At  the  end  Zachary's  and  A.  Elizabeth's  son, 
born  day  before  yesterday,  was  baptized  Jonathan.  There 
came  a  couple  of  Mousey  women  visiting  here  from  an 
Indian  party,  on  their  way  to  the  Miami,  who,  yesterday, 
came  to  the  mouth  of  this  river,  and  who  have  been  in- 
vited into  this  country.  Michael  held  service  in  the 
evening. 

Saturday,  19.  This  whole  week  we  were  busy  planting. 
Both  yesterday  and  to-day  strange  Indians  were  here  vis- 
iting, in  part  acquaintances  from  the  Mousey  nation. 
They  had  lived  a  day's  journey  from  the  Cuyahoga,  on 
the  Tschinque^  creek,  and  some  had  thought  of  planting 
this  summer  on  this  river  below  us.  Among  them  were 
also  some  who  have  been  baptized. 

Sunday,  20.  On  account  of  rain  we  could  have  no  ser- 
vice until  evening,  and  then  Br.  Edwards  held  it,  at  which 
were  present  some  strangers,  to  whom  afterwards,  for  they 
passed  the  night  here,  the  Saviour  was  preached. 

Wednesday,  23.  Mamasu's  brother  got  permission  from 
the  assistants  to  live  with  us,  after  our  rules  had  been 
made  known  to  him,  by  which  he  promised  to  conduct 


^  Perhaps  the  present  Chagrin  River. 


346  zeisberger's  diary. 

himself.  He  had  come  to  us  here  on  our  journey  fi'om 
Cuyahoga,  and  as  soon  as  he  came  had  asked  of  Br.  David 
to  be  permitted  to  live  with  us,  but  he  told  him  he  should 
first  inform  himself,  consider  well,  make  a  trial,  and  first 
be  better  acquainted  with  us  ;  but  since  that  time  he  has 
stood  fast  by  his  resolution,  and  we  had  no  hesitation  in 
granting  his  desire.     He  is  a  well-minded  man. 

Thursday,  24.  We  learned  from  Detroit,  from  where  a 
boat  has  come  to  the  river,  that  Duncan  and  Wilson  were 
under  arrest  there,  together  with  their  debtors. 

Saturday,  26.  Adam  came  back  from  Sandusky,  where 
he  had  got  corn.  We  heard  that  the  Indians,  towards 
autumn,  are  invited  to  a  treaty  at  Tuscarawas;  that  at 
present  they  are  all  out  hunting;  that  the  Twightwees  and 
other  nations  did  not  wish  to  have  the  Delawares  there, 
who  were  on  their  way  in  crowds  to  Gigeyunk,  but  told 
them  to  go  upon  their  own  land  to  live,  and  not  to  ruin 
their  hunting,  for  the  .Delawares  shoot  the  deer  for  the 
sake  of  the  skins,  and  leave  the  flesh  lying  in  the  bush, 
"^e  have  always  heard  that  nearly  all  are  hurrying  thither, 
and  are  now  again  driven  back.  Michael  held  early  service. 

Sunday,  27.  The  sermon  treated  of  the  ofiice  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  of  whom  our  Saviour  told  us  that  he  would 
send  him  in  his  stead  to  remain  with  us  forever.  There- 
upon we  thanked  him  in  prayer  for  his  true  and  motherly 
care,  for  his  unceasing  pains  and  the  labor  he  had  with  us 
to  prepare  us  for  the  Saviour,  asked  his  forgiveness  when 
we  had  oftentimes  grieved  him  and  given  no  heed  to  his 
admonitions,  and  begged  him  to  stand  by  us,  to  show  him- 
self mighty  and  powerful  among  us,  and  gave  ourselves  up 
farther  to  his  true  guidance,  care,  and  oversight.  He  gave 
us  in  our  hearts  the  assurance  that  he  heard  our  prayer. 
In  the  afternoon  service,  held  in  the  open  air,  from  the 
text:  Know  ye  not  that'  your  body  is  the  temple  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  which  is  in  you,  Mamasu  was  baptized  into 
the  death  of  Jesus  with  the  name  Jeremy. 

Tuesday,  29.  A  man  from  Detroit,  Smith  by  name,  vis- 
ited us,  and  a  woman  came  here  from  Sandusk}^,  who  had 
buried  here  fortv  bushels  of  corn,  all  of  which  our  Indians 


HURON   RIVER,   1787.  347 

paid  for  with  goods.  We  recommended  the  brethren  to 
consider  about  a  meeting-house  as  soon  as  possible.  The 
next  day  the}''  straightway  made  preparation  and  began 
upon  it.  Br.  David  wrote  to  Mr.  Askin,  in  Detroit,  by 
the  French  trader. 

Wednesday,  30.  It  was  extraordinarily  windy,  and  since 
our  place  lies  high  and  open,  we  were  not  very  safe  in  our 
huts  on  acconnt  of  the  trees  standing  around  us.  Many 
fled  and  took  refuge  in  the  open.  For  the  same  reason 
there  could  be  no  meeting.  Jeremy's  brother  visited  Br. 
David  and  talked  with  him  for  the  first  time  about  his 
heart,  asking  his  advice,  what  he  should  do  to  be  saved. 
He  got  the  answer:  "  Thou  canst  and  shallst  do  nothing 
except  give  thyself  up  to  the  Saviour,  bad  and  sinful  as 
thou  art,  as  a  lost  man,  and  believe  that  he  can  and  will 
help  thee,  for  his  mercy's  sake."  The  Saviour  favored  the 
plan  that  Br.  John  Weigand  should  go  back  to  the  church. 

Friday,  June  1.  Luke,  who,  before  we  came  here,  had 
already  gone  to  Sandusky,  and  was  utterly  against  our 
remaining  here,  came  yesterday  after  midnight  to  frighten 
the  brethren  that  they  might  the  more  readily  believe  him. 
He  said  to  some  of  the  sisters  that  he  came  to  get  us,  for 
there  was  danger  at  hand,  and  he  saw  that  their  teachers 
were  in  danger,  whom  he  wished  to  rescue.  When  he  was 
asked  where  the  danger  was  from,  he  answered  that  thirty 
canoes  with  Chippewas  were  come  over  the  lake  to  San- 
dusky and  Cuyahoga,  who  would  eat  us  up  and  kill  the 
teachers.  They  told  him  that  if  he  had  any  thing  to  say, 
and  was  sent,  it  was  not  usual  to  disclose  it  to  women  and 
children,  but  he  should  call  the  brethren  together  and  tell 
it  them.  This,  however,  he  would  not  do,  for  he  said  they 
would  not  believe  him,  but  he  was  willing  to  go  to  Br. 
David,  and  this  could  not  be  done  till  the  next  day.  Mean- 
while canie  Chippewas  and  Wyandots  from  Sandusky,  also 
two  of  our  Indians  from  hunting,  who  had  been  in  Cuya- 
hoga, but  had  neither  seen  nor  heard  any  thing  like  this. 
Br.  David  thereupon  spoke  with  him,  led  hi\)i  to  his  heart, 
admonished  him  earnestly  and  heartily,  sternly  but  kindly, 
and  this  had  the  efi'ect  wished  for,  that  he  came  yet  a  little 


348  zeisberger's  diary. 

to  himself,  was  conscious,  acknowledged  his  failings  and 
backslidings,  and  begged  for  forgiveness.  Br.  David  there- 
upon gave  him  an  opportunity  to  talk  the  matter  out  with 
the  assistant  brethren,  whom  hitherto  he  had  not  liked, 
and  to  be  reconciled  with  them,  of  whom  also  he  asked 
forgiveness,  and  when  all  was  done  he  got  permission  to 
come  to  us  again,  which  he  desired  and  promised  to  do. 
We  were  very  glad  and  thankful  to  the  Saviour  that  he 
had  found  himself  again.  We  have  indeed  trouble  with 
him  and  must  bear  with  him,  but  it  is  better  than  to  have 
him  for  an  enemy,  who  can  bring  upon  us  vexation  and 
trouble,  and  has  already  so  done. 

Sunday,  3.  Br.  Michael  preached  about  the  work  of 
the  Holy  Trinity,  which  has  worked  out  and  brought  to 
pass  eternal  reconciliation  for  the  human  race  through  our 
Lord,  Jesus  Christ,  whose  blood  we  have  cost.  Br.  David 
held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture-verse, 
that  we,  through  our  Lord,  Jesus  Christ,  have  come  to  the 
knowledge  of  his  and  our  dear  heavenly  Father,  who  so 
loved  us  that  he  gave  his  only  beloved  Son  for  us.  There 
were  present  some  strange  Indians  from  the  neighborhood 
here  on  this  river. 

Monday,  4.  William  went  to  Sandusky  to  get  corn. 
The  white  brothers  had  a  love-feast  for  the  wedding-day 
of  Br.  Zeisberger  and  his  wife  six  years  ago. 

Wednesda}^,  6.  Our  meeting-hall  was  finished,  where 
in  the  evening  we  had  the  first  service  from  the  text: 
Whosoever  transgresseth  and  abideth  not  in  the  doctrine 
of  Christ,  hath  not  God  ;  at  this  were  present  two  white 
people  from  Detroit  on  their  way  to  Pittsburg,  who  re- 
mained here  several  days.  As  since  Easter  we  have  had 
and  could  have  no  communion,  this  was  announced  to  the 
brethren  for  next  Saturday. 

Friday,  8.  Yesterday  and  to-day  the  brethren  were 
spoken  to  with  reference  to  the  communion.  Edwards 
held  early  service.  Since  now  we  have  a  chapel,  we  begin 
again  to  have  our  morning  service  as  is  our  custom. 

Saturday,  9.  The  whole  church  had  a  love-feast,  for 
which  the  brethren  in  Bethlehem  had  sent  us  flour;   to 


HURON  RIVER,  1787.  349 

this  came  several  Indians  from  the  neighborhood,  three 
miles  from  us  down  the  river,  among  whom  was  one  bap- 
tized by  us.  They  came  this  spring  from  Tschinque,  and, 
like  us,  must  plant  here,  but  they  are  not  in  the  least 
troublesome,  but  are  very  friendly  with  us.  At  the  love- 
feast  we  showed  the  brethren  our  thankfulness  and  recosr- 
nition  of  their  good  will  and  the  industry  they  had  shown 
in  building,  and  told  them  the  Saviour  would  richly  reward 
their  labor,  and  this  they  could  every  day  certainly  ex- 
pect from  him,  fojr  as  often  as  we  came  together  here  to 
hear  his  word,  he  would  bless  us,  and  thus  they  would  be, 
in  many  ways  and  richly,  repaid,  and  they  would  not  re- 
gret their  labor. 

Thereupon  a  letter  was  read  them  from  Br.  John  (de 
Watteville)  to  the  Indian  church,  to  every  word  of  which 
they  gave  heed,  and  which  they  took  to  heart,  of  which 
we  heard  afterwards  much  that  was  pleasant  to  hear  from 
the  brethren.  At  the  end  of  the  day  the  communicants 
enjoyed  his  body  and  blood  in  the  holy  sacrament,  in 
which  one  participated  for  the  first  time,  Lewis,  and  told 
of  the  near  presence  of  the  Saviour. 

Sunday,  10.  After  the  communion  liturgy  Br.  Michael 
preached  about  God's  love  for  us,  that  he  gave  his  only 
born  Son  up  to  death  for  us,  to  reunite  us  through  his  blood. 
A  Wyandot,  from  Detroit,  was  also  present,  who,  two 
days  before,  had  come  out  of  the  bush  from  hunting,  with 
a  couple  of  others.  His  comrades  were  already  away,  but 
he  still  remained  here.  He,  who  is  the  son  of  the  chief, 
Astechretschi,  over  the  lake,  himself  a  chief,  had  spoken 
nearly  all  last  night  with  Thomas,  whom  he  knew  over 
the  lake,  about  his  condition,  telling  him  he  had  already 
long  felt  in  his  heart  a  call  to  come  to  us,  and  something 
said  within  him  that  here  was  the  place  where  he  could  be 
happy,  or,  at  least,  where  he  could  hear  how  he  would 
come  thereto.  He  said  to  Thomas  that  he  would  like  to 
talk  with  the  old  brothers,  and  asked  if  they  must  all  come 
together  if  he  wished  to  say  any  thing,  and  if  he  wished  to 
speak  his  heart  and  mind,  whether  he  must  talk  through 
wampum,  and   show    his   condition    in   a  formal   speech. 


350  zeisberger's  diary. 

Thomas  answered  that  all  this  was  unnecessary,  that  if  he 
spoke  with  one  or  several  assistants  that  would  he  enough  ; 
they  would  give  him  an  opportunity  to  bring  to  light  his 
heart,  his  longing,  and  his  thoughts,  and  this  occurred  to- 
day, for  he  spoke  with  the  assistants,  telling  them  his  call, 
that  for  two  years  already  he  had  been  restless  in  heart  and- 
sought  the  best;  that  in  Detroit  he  had  gone  into  the 
church  with  the  French,  but  he  was  not  better  there,  but 
worse ;  that  he  had  spoken  with  his  mother  and  brothers 
about  it,  that  if  they  went  to  Montreal  they  would  find  some- 
thing good  there,  where  also  there  are  Indians  who  have  a 
minister,  but  that  he  had  secretly  an  impulse  and  inclina- 
nation  for  us,  but  that  he  had  spoken  to  no  one.  After  he 
had  had  his  talk,  he  said  to  the  brethren  :  "  Now,  my 
cousins,  hear  me  ;  I  shall  not  give  you  up  if  ye  do  not  wish 
to  receive  me.  My  whole  mind  is  to  abide  with  you  and 
to  live  as  ye  do.  Tell  me  now  your  mind  right  out,  what 
ye  think."  They  answered,  he  must  first  carefully  con- 
sicler,  for  many  had  already  come,  asked  to  live  with  us, 
and  when  they  had  permission  they  had  gone  away,  and 
had  come  not  again.  He  answered  that  who  had  so  done 
had  not  been  truly  in  earnest,  but  he  had  no  such  thoughts ; 
he  wanted  still  to  say  to  them  that  he  thought  first  to  go  to 
his  friends  over  the  lake,  to  tell  them  his  intention,  whether 
they  or  some  of  them,  perhaps,  might  not  be  of  his  mind, 
and  if  not,  he  would  come  back.  They  answered  him,  he 
would  not  so  find  that  all  would  be  of  his  mind,  there 
would  be  at  least  one  against  him ;  they  would  try  to  dis- 
suade him,  and  would  say  so  much  that  he  would  give  up 
coming  again,  but  he  thought  they  would  not  persuade  him 
to  abandon  his  resolution.  Since  now  he  wanted  much  to 
have  an  answer,  we  told  him  he  might  go ;  if  he  came  back 
again,  we  would  not  reject  him,  but  be  glad  if  he  were-con- 
tent  with  us  and  happy.  Afterwards,  however,  he  be- 
thought himself,  and  wished  neither  to  go  back  over  the 
lake  nor  to  Sandusky,  where  he  learned  his  brother  was 
come  from  Detroit  to  look  for  him,  but  to  him  Br.  David 
had  to  write  a  letter  in  his  behalf,  wherein  he  told  him  that 
he  was  here,  and  intended  to  remain  ;  if  then  any  one  of  his 


HURON   RIVER,   1787.  351 

friends  wanted  to  see  him,  they  would  find  him  here  on 
the  Huron  River  among  the  believing  Indians.  William 
came  from  Sandusky,  where  he  had  spoken  with  Kuhn, 
telling  him  among  other  things  that  the  place  appointed 
for  us  was  by  no  means  suitable.  He  answered  we  must 
select  in  the  neighborhood  a  place  that  did  please  us. 

[Thus  far  to  Bethlehem.] 

Monday,  11.  A  number  of  sisters  went  by  water  to  San- 
dusky to  get  corn,  which  a  short  time  ago  could  be  had  for 
a  dollar  a  bushel,  but  now  already  costs  three  dollars  a 
bushel,  and  goes  even  higher,  for  it  is  very  scarce.  The 
brethren  were  compelled  to  make  fences  for  some  distance 
around  the  fields. 

"Wednesday,  13.  From  Sandusky  came  Isaac  Williams, 
his  brother,  and  several  others,  to  get  Duncan's  flour  here, 
brought  from  Cuyahoga.  As  he  is  well  known  to  the 
Wyaudots  and  acquainted, with  them,  for  his  brother-in- 
law,  a  white  man  and  a  chief  among  them,  tells  him  every 
thing  and  takes  advice  from  him,  he  was  able  to  give  us 
much  information  to  our  comfort.  We  learned  thus  that 
the  Wyandots  were  inclined  to  let  us  stay  here,  that  they 
will  not  force  us  against  our  will  to  move  to  Sandusky,  if 
we  make  representations  and  lay  our  desire  before  the 
chiefs.  It  is  now  always  becoming  plainer  that  Titawach- 
kam  and  Luke  have  spun  the  plot,  incited  the  chiefs 
thereto,  and  so  urged  them  that  they  have  given  their  con- 
sent, and  then  have  got  a  weapon  in  their  hands  to  come 
upon  us  with  power  and  to  torment  us.  These  went  away 
on  the  15th  to  Sandusky,  after  first  being  present  at  the 
early  service.  Through  our  Wyandot  we  learn  that  the 
Six  Nations  are  secretly  at  work  and  labor  to  have  war 
begun  with  the  Delaware  nation,  for  which  the  war-belts 
already  lie  prepared  in  Sandusky.  The  Wyandots,  how- 
ever, namely,  the  chiefs,  of  whom  there  are  only  two  who 
know  about  it,  make  endeavors  that  nothing  may  come  of 
this,  dnd  for  this  they  already  know  means  and  ways.  This 
was  3^et  wanting  to  make  our  misery  complete,  for  our 
brethren  would  not  be  safe  a  step  from  town,  but  we  hope 
the  Saviour  will  hinder  this  and  turn  it  aside. 


352  zeisberger's  diary. 

Saturday,  16.  Accompanied  by  our  heartfelt  blessings, 
Br,  John  Weigand  set  out  this  afternoon  for  the  church 
(Bethlehem)  with  an  escort  of  several  Indian  brethren.  At 
the  same  time  went  the  two  white  people  from  Detroit  to 
Pittsburg,  one  of  whom  was  a  prisoner  from  Kentucky. 

Sunday,  17.  Br.  David  preached  and  Br.  Edwards  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  18.  Most  of  the  brethren  went  out  hunting, 
and  there  remain  at  home  for  the  most  part  only  the  sisters. 

Tuesday,  19.  Two  canoes,  with  the  sisters,  came  back 
from  Sandusky,  where  they  got  corn.  Luke  also  came 
from  therewith  his  family  to  remain.  He  came  so  humble 
and  so  like  a  sinner,  saying  he  was  unworthy  to  be  taken 
into  the  church  again.  What  pleased  us  most  was  that 
the  assistants,  who  always  had  trouble  with  him  when  he 
was  here  before,  had  now  right  hearty  compassion  with 
him,  wept  with  him,  and  held  him  as  dear  as  ever  before. 
This  will  be  to  him  an  abiding  blessing  his  life-long,  and 
we  cannot  enough  thank  the  Saviour,  who  has  changed 
our  sorrow  over  him  into  joy. 

Wednesday,  20.  Yesterday  and  to-day  Br.  David  held 
the  early  service  in  Indian.  The  brethren  hoed  our  corn 
to-day. 

Saturday,  2d.  Through  the  whole  week  the  brethren 
have  been  busy  hoeing  corn,  for  which  there  was  fine,  dry 
weather. 

Sunday,  24.  Br.  David  preached  from  Isaiah,  40  :  Cora- 
fort  ye,  comfort  ye  my  people,  saith  your  God,  in  Indian, 
no  interpreter  being  present.  There  were  also  strangers 
visiting  here. 

Monday,  25.  The  brethren  who  were  still  at  home  went 
also  out  for  a  few  days'  hunting. 

Tuesday,  26.  Some  sisters  went  to  the  lake  along  the 
shore  to  seek  some  necessities  for  their  labor,  as  also  tur- 
tles' eggs,  of  which  they  have  often  brought  home  many 
hundreds  and  thousands,  which  for  them  is  good  fo6d} 


i 


1  "We  therefore  hugged  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie  and  landed  whenever 
we  required  refreshment.     To  this  we  were  in  great  degree  induced  by 


HURON  RIVER,   1787.  353 

Wednesday,  27.  The  French  trader  came  here,  who 
yesterday  got  back  from  Detroit,  bringing  us  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Askin  to  Br.  David.  From  there  we  hear  that  all  is 
quiet  and  nothing  of  consequence  to  be  expected;  that 
the  wicked  rumors  among  the  Indians  about  war  are  pure 
lies,  but  that  the  nations  are  constantly  exhorted  and  en- 
couraged to  peace  with  the  States  by  the  English  ;  that  to 
the  Indians  in  Gigeyunk,  on  the  Miami,  whither  many  are 
fled  and  where  they  waste  away  with  hunger,  corn  and 
flour  had  been  sent  from  Detroit  for  their  maintenance ; 
that  business  is  so  bad  there  that  nearly  all  the  merchants 
become  bankrupt. 

Saturday,  30,  Some  brethren,  for  instance,  Thomas, 
Adam,  and  Adolphus,  who  were  up  the  creek  hunting, 
came  home.  They  had  seen  the  country  along  the  creek, 
but  had  found  no  place  better  than  we  have  here.  They 
brought  honey  and  meat  home. 

Sunday,  July  1.  At  the  sermon,  which  Br.  David 
preached  in  Indian,  several  strangers  were  present  from 
the  neighborhood.  Both  yesterday  and  to-day  we  had 
many  thunder-storms. 

Wednesday,  4.  A  sick  Indian,  Abraham's  son,  who 
several  days  ago  came  here  with  his  family  from  Sandusky, 
and  encamped  near  by  where  he  became  ill,  allowed  him- 
self to  hear  something  about  the  Saviour,  to  whom  Abra- 
ham preached  the  Saviour.  Not  much  dependence,  how- 
ever, is  to  be  placed  upon  the  conversion  of  such  people, 
for  we  have  often  seen  by  experience  that  as  soon  as  they 
are  well  again  they  go  their  way  and  forget  all  they  have 
promised.  He  and  his  whole  family,  early  on  the  5th, 
were  present  at  the  morning  service,  for  he  was  somewhat 
better.  Lea,  a  great  girl,  who  a  short  time  ago  went  away 
from  us  and  married  a  Chippewa  Indian,  came  here  again, 


the  multitude  of  turtles'  eggs  with  which  the  beach  abounded,  and 
which  we  easily  procured  in  plenty.  .  .  .  We  fried  them  in 
bear's  oil,  and  found  them  very  delicious  food." — .Johnston's  Narra- 
tive in  1790,  Harpers,  1827. 

23 


354  zeisberger's  diary. 

but  we  sent  her  away  to-day,  for  she  is  wanton  and  causes 
mischief  among  our  girls. 

From  the  neighborhood  here  a  canoe-load  of  Indians 
came  visiting,  likewise  some  Wyandots,  who  oftered  to 
sell  our  Indians  horses  they  had  stolen  in  the  settlements, 
and  they  had  taken  one  white  man  prisoner,  but  no  one 
would  trade  with  them.  Thus  they  do,  each  one  as  he 
pleases  ;  they  give  no  heed  to  orders  of  their  chiefs,  who 
are  yet  busy  about  making  peace. 

Friday,  6.  David  held  early  service.  The  Indian  breth- 
ren hilled  our  corn.  Since  we  live  here  upon  the  creek  so 
near  the  lake,  we  see  very  plainly  that  there  is  a  sort  of 
ebb  and  flow  in  the  lake,  as  we  observed  last  year  also 
upon  the  islands,  so  that  at  times  a  strong  current  sets  to 
the  west,  and  the  sailors  told  us  that  always  a  strong  cur- 
rent starts  up  before  the  wind  comes  from  any  quarter. 
We  often  notice  here  that  a  strong  current  comes  up  the 
creek  and  that  the  water  rises  two  feet  and  then  falls 
again.  It  is  not  probable,  however,  that  this  has  any  con- 
nection with  the  moon,  but  the  air  and  wind  cause  the 
movement  and  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  water. 

Saturday,  7.  Abraham  preached  the  Saviour  to  his  son 
in  his  hut,  and  this  two  Ottawa  Indians  heard,  who  had 
come  here  visiting,  and  with  curiosity  they  went  in  to 
hear  what  was  said.  When  Abraham  had  finished  his 
discourse,  they  asked  his  son  what  he  had  said,  for  he  un- 
derstands the  Ottawa,  Chippewa,  and  Wyandot  tongues. 
He  interpreted  it  to  them,  preached  to  them,  and  was  not 
afraid,  a  rare  thing  for  a  savage  to  do,  who  usually  would 
not  translate  nor  speak  any  such  thing.  Abraham  then  . 
preached  a  long  time  to  the  Tawas,  his  son  interpreting. 
They  came, 

Sunday,  8,  to  the  sermon,  which  Br.  David  gave  in  In- 
dian, about  the  story  of  Peter's  draught  of  fishes,  es- 
pecially the  words  :  Depart  from  me  for  I  am  a  sinful  man, 
0  Lord,  and  at  this  several  strangers  from  the  neighbor- 
hood were  present.  Abraham's  son  came  to-day  to  Br. 
David,  talked  with  him  about  his  heart,  and  said  to  him, 
among  other  things,  that  he  was  now  disposed  to  become 


HURON   RIVER,   1787.  355 

a  believer,  but  that  at  times  such  fear  and  anxiety  fell  upon 
him  that  he  knew  not  what  to  do ;  it  was  as  if  some  one  said 
to  him :  "  Thou  fool,  think  not  that  thou  canst  be  con- 
verted ;  thou  canst  not  so  live,  it  is  impossible,  and  in  vain 
thou  troublest  thyself.  Thou  art  too  great  a  sinner  and 
canst  not  leave  thy  sins  nor  be  free."  He  disclosed  to  Br. 
David  much  about  Satan's  tricks,  in  the  midst  of  which  he 
had  lived,  from  which  it  was  plain  to  be  seen  that  he  was 
a  true  servant  and  slave  of  Satan,  and  with  such  it  is 
much  harder,  until  they  come  clear  from  Satan's  hands, 
than  with  the  greatest  murderers.  He  related  also  that 
two  days  before  a  child  had  eaten  his  god,  which,  with 
other  sacred  things,  he  had  tied  up  in  a  silk  cloth  [this 
was  a  face  from  a  bear's  bone],  over  which  he  was  so  dis- 
tressed that  he  feared  some  great  misfortune  would  befall 
him,  and  it  might  even  cost  him  his  life,  since  he  met  this 
bad  luck.  Br.  David  said  to  him  that  his  fear  and  anxiety 
were  from  the  devil,  who  wished  to  alarm  him,  and  turn 
him  from  his  purpose  of  being  converted ;  there  was  no 
need  for  his  fear,  the  Saviour  had  redeemed  him  with  his 
blood ;  he  should  only  believe  this,  and  if  he  were  really 
in  earnest  to  become  the  Saviour's  and  to  be  saved,  Satan 
could  not  hold  him  against  his  will  ;  he  must  free  him- 
self altogether  from  his  devices  and  the  works  of  darkness, 
and  wish  to  have  therewith  nothing  further  to  do  ;  that  he 
had  lost  his  idol  was  well ;  now  he  was  rid  of  it  he  should 
be  glad,  and  no  harm  would  come  to  him  on  this  account. 
If  this  man  should  be  converted  he  would  be  a  useful  man, 
for  he  understands  five  Indian  tongues,  and  can  speak  to 
many  a  one  the  words  of  life. 

Monday,  9.  Some  Wyandots  who  came  here  stayed 
over  night.  In  the  afternoon  came  Br.  Samuel,  and  they 
who,  with  him,  had  accompanied  Br.  Weigand  to  Pitts- 
burg, back  here,  having  been  gone  twenty-three  days.  On 
the  Cuyahoga  they  made  a  canoe,  for  their  horses  were 
weary,  and  brought  their  lading  from  there  here  by  water, 
which  also  arrived  this  evening.  They  brought  with  them 
the  blankets,  axes,  and  hoes  given  them  by  Congress.  The 
corn,  however,  lies  there  and  spoils.     If  we  had  it  here  the 


356  zeisberger's  diary. 

brethren  would  be  very  glad  of  it,  for  they  need  it,  yet  it 
is  cheaper  here  at  two  or  three  dollars  a  bushel  than  to  get 
it  there  for  nothing  and  use  three  weeks  on  the  road.  For 
a  wonder  our  Indians  get  along  thus  far  much  better  than 
a  year  ago  on  the  Cuj'ahoga ;  for  this  the  Saviour  gives 
them  opportunities.  For  example,  the  Indians  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, also  a  woman,  Ackerlemann,^  the  Frenchman, 
Tawas,  etc.  Br.  Weigand  left  Pittsburg  for  the  country 
the  same  day  they  did.  They  brought  us  a  letter  from 
Br.  Ettwein  of  May  28th,  which  was  best  of  all  for  us. 
Butler,  to  whom  I  wrote,  was  not  at  the  Fort. 

Monday,  10.  Br.  Edwards  held  the  early  service,  a 
translator  being  present.  Thus  far  Br.  David  alone  had  to 
hold  the  services  in  Indian.  The  brethren  divided  among 
themselves  the  blankets  and  the  other  thino;s  which  had 
been  brought.  Br.  David  spoke  again  with  Abraham's 
son,  who  ]]ow  often  visits  him.     To  him  Samuel  preached, 

"Wednesday,  11,  setting  forth  to  him  the  way  to  be  saved, 
very  plainly,  telling  him  also  the  buft'etings  and  hinderances 
which  usually  meet  one  who  begins  to  think  about  this; 
but  all  these  things  he  should  not  regard  nor  care  for, 
since  they  were  from  Satan,  who  wished  to  turn  him  from 
his  thought  and  design  of  conversion  and  bring  him  else- 
where.    Br.  Jung  held  morning  service. 

Saturday,  14.  One  of  our  unbaptized  boys,  whose  father 
perished  in  Gnadenhlitten,  who  had  heard  of  us,  and  is 
now  in  his  eighteenth  year,  a  young  man,  came  here  and 
asked  of  Br.  David  that  we  might  again  receive  him.  He 
said  he  had  not  yet  forgotten  what  he  had  heard,  he  still 
knew  some  verses  b}^  heart,  and  liked  not  to  be  among  the 
savages;  he  would  like  to  be  in  the  church  where  his 
parents,  brothers,  and  sisters  had  gone  from  time.  He 
asked  among  the  brethren  if  we  still  had  meetings,  and 
when  he  was  answered  yes,  he  said  if  he  only  dared  go  to 
them,  for  so  many  years  he  had  heard  nothing  more.  Br. 
David  said  to  him  that  he  was  now  grown  and  could 
already  consider  how  he  wished  to  live  in  the  world  and 


•See  under  May  5,  1788. 


HURON  RIVER,  1787.  357 


to  use  his  time,  whether  he  wished  here  to  live  for  the 
Saviour  or  to  be  a  slave  to  sin;  it  was  therefore  well  for 
him  to  think  about  this,  and  if  his  wish  were  to  be  saved 
and  he  therefore  wanted  to  be  in  the  church,  he  would 
be  welcomed  by  us;  his  parents  were  with  the  Saviour,  he 
should  seek  to  follow  them. 

Sunday,  18.  Br.  Edwards  preached,  thereupon  Br. 
David  conducted  the  communion  quarter-hour  and  the 
congregation  meeting.  In  the  meantime,  in  the  town,  the 
Saviour  was  preached  to  the  strangers  here  visiting,  and 
to  them  who  have  lately  come  to  stay.  Abraham's  son 
came  and  told  how  his  heart  felt.  He  had  ears  to  hear, 
the  Saviour  opened  iiis  heart  so  that  he  began  to  under- 
stand. He  said  :  "  l^ow  first  I  see  what  a  wretched  and 
corrupt  man  I  am  ;  never  yet  have  I  so  known  myself,  I 
was  blind.  I  must  go  to  destruction  unless  the  Saviour 
have  mercy  upon  me."  He  came  the  morning  after 
quite  early,  and  said  he  had  not  slept  the  whole  night 
from  the  unrest  of  his  heart;  that  he  longed  to  be 
washed  with  the  blood  of  Jesus  from  his  sins.  He  cried 
out:  "  I  believe  that  he  poured  out  his  blood  upon  the 
cross  for  my  sins,  died,  was  buried,  and  rose  again.  I  be- 
lieve that  nothing  in  the  whole  world  can  help  me  save 
him  alone.  To  him  I  give  myself  entirely,  wretched  and 
sinful  as  I  am." 

Monday,  16.  Br.  Michael  held  morning  service.  Three 
young  unmarried  men,  two  of  them  from  those  here  in  our 
neighborhood,  who  this  spring,  on  their  march,  have 
planted  here,  got  permission  to  live  with  us,  whose  father, 
also  here,  is  not  opposed,  but  pleased  that  they  wish  to 
abide  with  us.  Abraham's  son  came  and  acknowledged 
his  sins,  relating  his  course  of  life  which  he  had  thought 
over,  and  brought  fifty-eight  twigs,  the  number  of  sins  he 
had  committed,  so  far  as  he  was  conscious  of  them  and 
could  remember,  for  he  said  he  might  well  already  have 
forgotten  many  ;  all  this  he  wished  to  give  up  for  the  Sa- 
viour, and  seek  forgiveness  from  him.  To-day  our  Indian 
brethren  came  home  from  hunting  in  Tuscarawas,  where 
they  have  had  very  good  luck. 


358  zeisberger's  diary. 

Tuesday,  17.  David  held  morning  service.  Strangers 
came  visiting  here,  remaining  over  night,  among  whom 
was  Abraham's  son's  wife  and  her  mother,  who  came  to 
take  away  her  daughter,  but  the  same  night  she  became 
very  sick,  so  that  she  could  not  be  up. 

Thursday,  19.  Edwards  held  morning  service.  Abra- 
ham's son  came  to  Samuel,  told  him  how  Satan  fell  upon  him 
and  insinuated  that  Br.  David,  with  Avhom  he  had  spoken, 
wished  to  deceive  him  and  lead  him  astray,  as  he  had  al- 
ready deceived  all  those  who  were  here  with  us.  Sam- 
uel answered  him:  "I  thought  thou  wouldst  become  a 
believer,  therefore  have  I,  for  an  hour  at  a  time,  spoken 
with  thee,  telling  thee  much,  and  laying  out  to  thee 
plainly  the  way  for  salvation,  but  now  I  see  that  thou  wilt 
only  quickly  know  all,  speculatest  about  all  manner  of 
things,  and  goest  to  work  with  thy  reason.  Thus  can  I 
say  to  thee,  all  this  will  help  not  at  all,  thou  willst  remain 
in  darkness,  and  learn  to  understand  nothing  of  all  that 
has  been  told  thee  about  the  Saviour-  Thou  art  afraid 
thou  wilt  be  deceived  and  caught.  Tliou  hast  many  rea- 
sons to  be  afraid  about  Satan's  witchery  and  the  power 
of  darkness,  wherein  thou  hast  hitherto  lived,  and 
which  thou  hast  urged  on.  Thou  hast  had  no  fear  of 
this,  though  thou  wast  walking  on  the  straight  road  to 
hell.  1^0  man  has  called  thee  here,  no  one  will  retain 
thee  if  thou  goest  again,  and  if  thou  fearest  to  be  deceived 
and  bewitched,  and  thou  hast  nothing  farther  to  do  than 
to  hear  something  new  and  to  know  many  things,  it  is 
better  thou  goest  soon  whence  thou  hast  come."  He  broke 
into  load  weeping,  and  said  it  was  still  his  heart's  intention 
to  be  converted,  and  he  did  not  wish  to  give  it  up.  If  this 
happens  it  will  not  be  too  easy.  Satan  will  hold  him  as 
long  as  he  can,  for  it  is  much  harder  with  such  people  than 
with  the  greatest  fornicators  or  murderers,  who  are  not 
so  entangled  with  Satan  as  is  he.  An  old  man,  whose 
two  sons  have  permission  to  stay  here,  with  which  their 
father  was  at  iirst  well  pleased,  wished  to  take  them  away, 
and  told  them  so.  They  answered  their  father  that  he 
could  indeed  go  and  live  how  and  where  he  pleased,  and 


HURON   RIVER,   1787.  359 

if  he  loved  the  life  with  savages  he  could  remain  with 
them,  but  they  would  not  go  with  him.  He  thereupon 
ceased  urging  them,  and  much  more  encouraged  them 
to  be  believers  with  their  whole  hearts,  so  that  they  could 
sometime  tell  him  with  truth  what  they  had  experienced 
and  knew.  The  same  man  met  Renatus  in  the  bush,  and 
asked  him  much.  The  people  would  much  like  to  come 
behind  our  mysteries. 

Friday,  20.  David  held  morning  services.  A  large 
party  of  strange  Indians  came  here  from  Sandusky,  where 
the  small-pox  prevails,  and  remained  over  night.  They 
went  to  boil  salt.  The  brethren  cease  not  to  extol  to 
them  the  salvation  of  their  souls  in  the  blood  of  Jesus. 

Saturday,  21,  Michael  held  morning  service.  The 
strangers  set  forth  on  their  way.  A  Wyandot  chief  with 
several  Indians  came  here  for  news  and  to  learn  how  the 
matter  is,  for  they  had  heard  that  Indians  are  said  to  be  in 
this  neighborhood,  they  know  not  who  they  are,  nor  of 
what  nation  ;  they  have  also  shot  at  Indians  hereabouts, 
so  that  one  from  fright  let  his  musket  fall,  and  was  driven 
away,  and  when  afterward  he  went  with  a  party  of  In- 
dians to  get  it,  it  was  gone  and  not  to  be  found,  of  which 
we  also  have  already  heard.  Tawas  had  gone  to  the 
French  trader,  who  wanted  to  accuse  our  Indians  of  it, 
but  he  told  him  our  Indians  were  good  people,  this  he 
knew,  and  they  did  no  man  harm;  that  they  should  have 
no  malicious  thoughts  towards  them.  Br.  David  spoke 
very  earnestly  with  Abraham's  son,  whereto  he  gave  him 
opportunity  by  relation  of  his  satanic  witchcraft,  and»told 
him  once  for  all  that  if  he  would  not  break  loose  from 
this  and  be  converted  by  the  Saviour  [for  he  was  Satau's 
bond-servant  and  slave],  it  were  better  he  went  away  as 
soon  as  possible,  for  such  a  man  as  he  co:ild  not  be  in  the 
church  ;  he  should  not  think  that  he  could  deceive  the  Sa- 
viour and  the  brethren,  he  would  only  deceive  himself 
and  suffer  the  greatest  harm.  He  answered  thereupon 
that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  go  again  from  us,  and 
if  we  should  bid  him  go,  he  could  not,  for  he  should  go 
straightway  to  the  devil  in  hell. 


360  zeisberger's  diary. 

In  the  evening,  after  the  brethren  had  been  spoken 
with  the  preceding  days,  we  had  the  Lord's  supper,  ac- 
companied by  his  near  presence.  Anna  Johanna  and 
John  Leeth  were  readmitted.  Samuel,  who  has  hurt  his 
foot,  received  the  sick-bed  communion. 

Sunday,  22.  Early  was  the  communion  liturgy,  and 
then  the  sermon  by  Br.  David,  at  which  were  present 
many  strangers  also  from  the  neighborhood,  besides  those 
alread}'  here.  A  woman,  who  last  year  on  our  journey  to 
the  lake  attended  our  meetings,  which  pleased  her  so  well 
that  since  then  she  has  often  thought  of  them,  came  here 
several  days  ago,  was  absent  from  no  meeting,  and  was 
only  sorry  that  she  had  planted  so  far  from  us  this  spring, 
namely,  on  the  Miami,  and  said,  if  this  were  not  so  she 
would  at  once  remain  here  with  us.  She  is  a  widow,  hav- 
ing a  son  with  her,  already  quite  well  grown,  who  very 
gladly  hears  about  the  Saviour. 

Wednesday,  25.  Several  brethren  went  to  Sandusky 
Island  to  buy  corn,  etc.,  others  went  out  hunting.  After 
a  long  drouth,  we  got  a  pleasant  rain  to-day,  that  held  on 
two  days.     To  mention  about  the  ebb  and  flow.^ 

Thursday,  26.  Br.  David  held  morning  service.  Three 
Tawa  Indians  came  here.  They  had  been  in  the  settlements 
around  Wiliink  (Wheeling),  either  to  steal  horses  or  to 
murder.  There  had  been  nine  of  them,  who  were  attacked 
by  the  whites,  and  after  the  loss  of  three,  who  fell  fight- 
ing, they  took  flight. 

Friday,  27.  Some  brethren  went  out  elk-hunting.  Ed- 
wards held  morning  service. 

Saturday,  26.  Michael  held  early  service.  This  week 
several  houses  were  blocked  out.  There  will  be  here  a 
considerable  town. 

Sunday,  29.  Mr.  Robbins  from  Sandusky,  with  another 
white  man,  went  through  here  on  his  way  to  Pittsburg,  with 
a  captured  boy,  whom  the  Shawanese  this  spring  had  taken 
on  the  Kanawha.  By  this  opportunity  we  wrote  to  Beth- 
lehem.    Michael  preached  from  the  words:  The  poor  have 


^  Which  he  did  under  July  6th  last.     p.  354. 


HURON  RIVER,   1787.  361 

the  Gospel  preached  to  them,  and  David  held  the  congre- 
gation meeting. 

Tuesday,  31.  By  Tackenos,  one  of  our  baptized  In- 
dians, who  came  from  the  Miami  to  Gigeyunk,  where  the 
Delawares  and  Shawanese  have  been  coming  together 
all  this  spring,  we  learned  that  our  erring  Indians 
were  also  in  that  neighborhood,  that  many  have  died 
there  of  hunger,  and  that  all  live  in  perfect  fear  of  being 
fallen  upon  by  the  white  people,  and  on  this  account  send 
out  scouts  in  all  directions.  To  come  to  or  get  at  our  In- 
dians we  see  for  the  time  being  no  way  during  such  dis- 
turbances. 

Through  our  Indians  there  to  open  a  way  for  us,  we  see 
no  means ;  they  may  and  will  do  nothing  in  the  matter, 
nor  undertake  any  thing.  Should  we  seek  to  go  thither, 
we  must  ourselves  work  our  way  through,  and  by  our 
own  means  accomplish  it,  doing  something  new,  so  that 
whoever  of  them  wishes  to  come  to  us  may  have  oppor- 
tunity there,  for  here,  where  we  now  are,  we  learn,  none 
have  a  mind  to  come  ;  they  would  rather  remain  far  enough 
away  from  the  white  people,  but  now  to  try  any  thing  in 
such  times  were  vain  ;  we  must  await  our  time.  We  learn 
farther  that  we  have  done  well  in  coming  here.  In  Cuy- 
ahoga we  should  not  have  been  left  in  quiet,  and  among 
all  the  Indians  it  had  been  pretty  well  resolved  that  if  we 
went  to  the  Muskingum  they  would  come  to  take  us 
away  by  force,  and  then  they  would  have  brought  us  to 
Gigeyunk  into  wretchedness.  I^ow  that  we  are  here,  how- 
ever, they  are  well  enough  contented  with  us.  The  more 
remote  nations  look  upon  the  "Wyandots,  Pipe,  and  his 
following,  and  the  Indians  in  Sandusky,  as  if  they  held 
pretty  closely  with  the  Americans,  as  is  also  true;  they 
would  like  to  have  peace  with  them,  and  since  we  are 
now  here,  we  have  from  them  protection  in  a  manner, 
for  we  are  not  alone.  The  Delawares  in  Gigeyunk,  as 
we  hear,  are  considering  about  going  far  away  from 
this  country,  and  to  this  end  have  treated  with  the  Span- 
iards and  Tuckashaws,  and  have  asked  them  for  laud 
there  to  live  on.     The  Spaniards  have  also  permitted  them 


362  zeisberger's  diary. 

to  live  there,  giving  them  land,  with  the  condition  that 
they  wish  to  live  in  peace  and  in  an  orderly  manner, 
making  no  disturbance  and  mischief,  but  if,  according  to 
their  custom,  they  wish  to  steal,  rob,  and  murder,  they 
shall  remain  away.  They  have  made  good  promises,  how- 
ever, and  matters  are  so  arranged  that  they  will  quite 
likely  move  thither. 

Wednesday,  Aug.  1.  From  Sandusky,  where  there  is 
small-pox,  from  which  some  have  already  died,  William 
came  back.  On  account  of  the  disease,  he  stayed  there 
hardly  a  half-hour.  Furthermore,  we  let  none  other  of 
our  number  go  there,  that  the  disease  may  not  be  brought 
here. 

Friday,  3.  Yesterday  and  to-day  Br.  David's  house 
was  built  and  brought  under  roof. 

Sunday,  5.  Br.  Edwards  preached  and  David  con- 
ducted the  children's  service  and  the  congregation  meeting. 

Tuesday,  7.  Edwards  held  morning  service  about  love 
and  unity  among  the  brethren.  Moreover  they  were  busy 
building  houses.  We  learn  from  Sandusky  that  six  In- 
dians there  got  the  small-pox  and  four  died  ;  that  they 
have  sent  for  a  doctor  from  Detroit  to  come  there  to  at- 
tend them.  The  Indians  are  all  very  much  afraid  of  it 
and  on  their  guard  against  going  thither. 

Wednesday,  8.  A  blind  Indian,  with  his  wife,  came 
here  from  the  Miami,  where  a  treaty  had  been  held  with 
the  Indians.  He  related  about  this  that  ammunition 
would  be  given  for  them  to  defend  themselves  with,  if  they 
should  be  attacked,  by  the  States,  which  is  always  their 
fear;  that  they  therefore  should  keep  good  watch,  and  if 
they  observed  any  thing  should  let  them  know,  but  we 
could  not  believe  all  he  said. 

Thursday,  9.  Michael  held  early  service  from  the  text : 
Wherefore  comfort  yourselves  together  and  edify  one 
another — not  from  desire  of  power,  but  from  love  one  for 
another.  The  blind  man,  who  arrived  here  yesterday, 
came  with  the  intention  of  hearing  the  believing  Indians 
and  also  of  saying  somewhat  to  them  or  of  discussing 
with  them,  that  tlie  Gospel  was  not  for  Indians,  but  for 


HURON  RIVER,  1787.  363 

white  people.  He  brought  his  principia  to  bear,  but  could 
find  no  success  with  our  Indian  brethren  nor  maintain  his 
ideas,  but  had  to  give  in  and  be  silent.  He  remained  here 
three  days,  going  to  the  meetings,  and  when  he  went 
away  said  that  henceforth  he  would  think  about  this,  how 
to  be  saved. 

A  girl,  eleven  year's  old,  Mary  Magdalene,  Johannette's 
daughter,  whose  parents  died  in  the  church,  came  a  long 
way  hither  from  the  Miami  and  Gigeyunk.  She  had  there 
heard  about  us,  set  out  on  the  way  to  us,  found  from  one 
place  to  another  among  the  Indians  opportunity  to  get  on 
to  us,  and  has  had  good  luck.  She  said  she  had  much 
longed  to  come  again  to  us,  for  she  could  not  be  among 
savages,  but  desired  to  be  with  the  brethren.  Here  again 
we  have  an  example.  Children  who  wish  it  can  find  the 
way  to  us  alone  and  the  old  adults  can  not  come.  Who 
only  will,  he  is  helped  ;  who  will  not,  finds  many  a  hin- 
derance. 

Friday,  10,  and  Saturday,  11.  There  was  speaking  with 
regard  to  the  communion.  Many  strangers  go  through 
here  and  remain  over  night,  who  at  the  service  hear  words 
about  the  Saviour.  An  old  Indian,  whose  two  sons  are 
here,  sought  to  persuade  some  of  ours  to  leave  the  church, 
promising  one  of  our  Indians  he  should  become  chief,  but 
he  could  eftect  nothing,  and  it  appears  as  if  he  had  only 
wished  to  try  how  steadfast  they  stood,  for  he  left  his 
children  in  the  church,  and  a  daughter,  now  with  the  sav- 
ages, he  will  also  bring  here,  but  others  he  wishes  to  se- 
duce from  the  church.     How  does  this  hansr  together? 

Sunday,  12,  David  preached  from  the  text:  Jesus 
wept  over  Jerusalem,  and  Br,  Michael  held  the  congrega- 
tion meeting.  Susanna  lay  down  sick  after  having  been 
indisposed  already  for  several  days. 

Monday,  13.  After  the  history  of  the  Brother's  Church, 
which  comes  from  the  apostles,  had  been  related  to  the 
brethren  in  a  service,  and  the  event  ^  of  sixty  years  before 
laid  before  them,  the  communicants  had  the  Lord's  sup- 

^At  rierrnhut.     Seep.  ]99. 


364  zeisberger's  diary. 

per,  whereat  the  Saviour  showed  himself  gracious  to  us, 
and  also  made  us  feel  his  near  presence. 

Tuesday,  14.  Br.  David  read  the  communion  liturgy 
early,  and  Br.  Michael  held  the  common  early  service 
about  brotherly  love  towards  one  another.  Two  of  our 
former  girls,  Susanna  and  Lucy,  came  here  visiting, 

"Wednesday,  15.  Br.  David  held  morning  service  from 
the  Scripture-verse :  0  come,  let  us  worship  and  bow 
down :  let  us  kneel  before  the  Lord,  our  Maker,  for  the 
wonder  above  all  wonders,  that  God,  our  Creator,  became 
man,  and  made  atonement  for  us  with  God  by  his  blood, 
and  gained  us  eternal  redemption.  The  brethren  went  to- 
gether hunting,  and  brought  home  meat  enough  for  the 
whole  town.  Some  sisters,  who  yesterday  wanted  to  go 
to  the  Monsey  town,  came  back  to-day,  before  they  got 
there.  They  heard  on  their  way  that  the  small-pox  had 
gone  there  also,  wherefore  they  turned  about. 

Thursday,  16.  The  brethren  again  went  together  hunt- 
ing, and  brought  meat  home. 

Saturday,  18.  From  Sandusky  came  Zachary,  who 
wished  to  bring  here  his  sick  brother,  who  longed  to  be 
with  us,  but  he  was  so  bad  he  could  not  bring  him.  He 
can  neither  live  nor  die. 

In  Lower  Sandusky  the  small-pox  still  continues,  and 
many  have  died  from  it.  He  heard  that  in  Tuscarawas 
and  neighborhood  three  Indians  or  more  are  said  to  have 
been  killed  by  white  people;  probably  they  had  stolen 
horses.     In  Gigeyunk  they  are  still  waiting  for  war. 

Sunday,  19.  Edwards  preached.  David  held  the  quar- 
ter-hour of  the  baptized.  Jeremy  went  into  others'  towns 
for  bad  company,  whom  we  told  two  days  afterwards  to 
leave  our  place,  since  he  gave  not  up  his  disorderly  life, 
after  having  been  admonished  at  different  times,  both  by 
Br.  David  and  by  the  assistants. 

Tuesday,  21.  Yesterday  and  to-day  the  brethren  made 
Br.  David's  house  ready.  From  Sandusky  we  heard  that 
already  twenty  men  had  died  of  the  small-pox,  without 
counting  women  and  children.  Praise  be  to  God,  thus 
far  we  have  been  spared  this;  we  let  no  one  go  thither,  also 


HURON  mvER,  1787.  365 

we  suffer  no  one  to  come  here  without  examining  where 
he  comes  from. 

Thursday,  23.  From  Gigeyunk  we  heard  that  they 
await  there  an  American  army,  which  has  announced  it 
will  make  them  a  visit;  that  on  this  account  the  Indians 
are  again  fleeing  from  there. 

Friday,  24.  Many  strange  Indians  came  hero  out  of 
the  hash  from  their  hunting  in  the  Tuscarawas  and  the 
Muskingum,  where  every  thing  is  safe  and  quiet;  that 
Indians  have  been  killed  there,  is  entirely  false.  Also 
there  came  with  them  here  some  who  have  been  baptized, 
Susanna  and  Louisa,  who,  however,  are  shy  of  us,  and 
come  not  near,  being  worse  than  the  savages,  who  yet 
come  to  the  meetings,  but  these  never.  Samuel  inter- 
preted again  as  before. 

Sunday,  26.  Br.  Edwards  preached,  and  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  In  the  evening  came  Helena,  Sam 
Moor's  wife,  with  her  two  children,  visiting  from  Sandusky, 
where  she  had  planted,  in  the  hope  we  should  go  there. 
With  her  came  also  two  baptized  women,  Paulina  and 
Elizabeth,  who  have  been  many  ^^ears  out  of  the  church. 

Monday,  27.  Mr.  Bobbins  came  back  from  Pittsburg, 
who  went  through  here  on  his  way  thither,  by  whom  we 
sent  letters  to  Bethlehem,  which  also  he  had  properly  for- 
warded, though  he  himself,  on  account  of  the  small-pox, 
did  not  go  there.  We  heard,  to  our  comfort,  that  every 
thing  there  seems  peaceful  and  good,  that  the  Indians  in- 
deed, in  Wiliink  (Wheeling),  and  thereabout,  are  always 
stealing  horses,  and  from  Duncan  have  stolen  many,  but 
that  no  plans  are  forming  against  the  Indians. 

We  moved  to-day  into  the  house  the  brothers  and  sis- 
ters have  made  for  us ;  hitherto  we  have  been  living  in  a 
bark^-hut.  This  evening  were  buried  the  remains  of  the 
little  Augustus,  who  went  home  yesterday,  and  our  grave- 
yard was  consecrated.  He  was  a  year  and  seven  days  old. 
Susanna,  who  has  also  been  attacked  by  the  sickness  pre- 
vailing among  our  brethren,  and   lay  sick  over  a  week, 

^Conjectured. 


866  zeisberger's  diaey. 

grew  better  again,  but  others  are  severely  ill  therewith, 
as  Christiana  and  Renatus, 

Wednesday,  29.  Yesterday  and  to-day  nearly  all  oiir 
brethren  went  out  gathering  ginseng-roots,  for  which 
there  is  great  demand ;  some  went  even  to  our  island  in 
the  lake,  where  we  were  so  long  in  camp  last  year,  and 
where  there  is  as  much  as  if  it  had  been  cultivated.  For, 
by  hunting,  they  can  earn  little  or  nothing,  the  skins  being 
worthless. 

Thursday,  30.  Helena  spoke  with  Br.  David,  asking 
permission  to  live  again  in  the  church,  which  we  gave  her. 
From  Pittsburg  came  the  former  wife  of  White  Eyes,  with 
some  others.  Kot  far  from  the  Fort  they  had  been  taken 
prisoners  by  the  militia,  who  took  away  from  them  their 
horses,  pelts,  and  whatever  they  had,  but  had  let  them  go 
again. 

From  Pittsburg  came  a  couple  of  white  people,  messen- 
gers to  the  chiefs,  to  invite  them  to  a  council.  Near 
Wiliink  above  sixteen  white  people  have  been  killed  this 
summer,  where  also  six  .Indians  died,  besides  the  damage 
done  in  other  places. 

Sunday,  Sept.. 2.  Br.  David  preached  about  the  greatest 
commandment  and  held  the  children's  service.  Mr.  Rob- 
bins,  who  returned  from  Sandusky  day  before  yesterday, 
set  forth  on  his  way  to  Pittsburg.  For  two  weeks  now  we 
have  in  town  a  large  number  sick  with  burning  fevers. 
Among  the  Wyandots  eighteen  have  already  died  of 
small-pox,  and  twenty  are  sick  with  it,  very  few  recover. 
Thus  far  we  have  been  spared  this.  Br.  Michael  held  the 
congregation  meeting. 

Wednesday,  5.  From  Sandusky  came  back  again  the 
white  man  and  messenger  from  Pittsburg,  bringing  us  a 
letter  from  Pomoacan,  who  asked  us  to  send  with  him  a 
part  of  the  way  one  or  two  Indians,  as  escort,  until  he  is  out 
of  danger,  for  on  account  of  the  pestilence  they  are  able  to 
send  no  one  with  him,  and  this  we  did. 

Thursday,  6.  Br.  David  held  morning  service  from  the 
text:  There  is,  therefore,  now  no  condemnation  to  them 
which  are  in  Christ  Jesus.     From  Sandusky  came  a  mes- 


HURON  RIVER,  1787.  367 

senger  to  invite  some  one  of  our  Indians  to  a  council,  to 
hear  what  would  be  treated  of.  We  heard  that  the  In- 
dians were  much  afraid  that  the  white  people  would  ad- 
vance, for  which  fear  a  letter  from  Pittsburg  gave  them 
cause,  which  the  messenger  brought  out,  and  they  speak 
already  of  flight.  May  God  give  peace  in  this  land  !  Yes- 
terday and  to-day  the  Indian  brethren  blocked  out  the 
house  for  the  two  unmarried  brothers,  Edwards  and  Jung. 

Friday,  7.  The  married  brethren  celebrated  their  festi- 
val with  grace  and  blessing,  in  the  near  presence  of  our 
dear  Lord.  At  morning  prayer  we  begged  for  his  bloody 
blessing  and  nearness  for  the  day ;  theij  was  the  festival 
service  of  the  married  brethren,  from"'the  text  of  the  day  : 
But  if  we  walk  in  the  light  as  he  is  in  the  light,  we  have 
fellowship  one  with  another,  and  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ, 
his  Son,  cleanses  us  from  all  sin,  about  this,  that  in  our  mar- 
riage we  can  and  should  lead  a  life  blessed  and  well-pleas- 
ing to  God,  but  for  this  it  is  required  that  connection  with 
sin  shall  be  broken,  and  that  we,  through  Jesus'  wounds, 
shall  be  cured  and  healed  ;  then  we  can  walk  in  light,  and 
without  fear  live  for  his  glory.  Whilst  the  love-feast  was 
celebrating,  Christiana  Schebosh,  after  a  sickness  of  nine 
days,  departed  and  ended  her  course  at  this  time  quite 
blessedly.  In  the  afternoon  was  a  love-feast  for  all  the  in- 
habitants, and  in  conclusion  the  Scripture-verse  for  the  day 
was  pondered  :  And  take  not  the  word  of  truth  utterly  out 
of  my  mouth. 

Saturday,  8.  Her  remains  were  brought  to  rest.  She 
came  to  the  church  in  Shekomeko,  in  New  York,  and 
when  the  Indians  there  were  driven  away,  to  Bethlehem, 
with  others,  where  she  was  baptized,  in  the  year  1748,  by 
Br.  Martin  Mack;  in  the  same  year  she  was  joined  in 
wedlock  with  our  Schebosh,  with  whom  she  lived  in  Gna- 
denhiitten,  on  the  Mahony,  and  when  that  was  laid  waste 
by  the  savages,  she  went  to  ISTain,  near  Bethlehem  and 
Wechquetank,^  and  thereafter  went  with  the  Indian 
church  to  Philadelphia  into  the  barracks;  then,  in   the 


^  Polk  Township,  Monroe  Co.,  Pa. 


368  zeisberger's  diary. 

year  '65,  to  Friedenshiitten,  on  the  Susquehanna  [she  was 
a  national-assistant],  and  in  the  year  1772,  with  the  same 
to  the  Ohio,  where  she  was  on  the  Muskingum,  first  in 
Schonbrunn  and  then  in  Gnadenhiitten,  until,  in  the  year 
'81,  all  was  destroyed  by  savage  warriors,  and  the  Indian 
church  carried  off  to  Sandusky.  When,  in  the  spring  of 
'82,  the  brothers,  their  teachers,  were  taken  from  them 
and  carried  to  Detroit,  she  went  with  her  daughter,  and 
the  latter's  husband,  with  the  rest  of  our  Indians,  to  the 
Shawanese  towns.  Her  son  died  at  the  massacre  in  Gna- 
denhiitten. Her  husband,  Br.  Schebosh,  had  already,  in 
the  autumn,  been  taken  captive  in  Schonbrunn  by  the 
militia,  and  carried  to  Philadelphia,  from  which  place  he 
w^ent  to  Bethlehem.  When  she  heard  that  the  brethren 
were  in  Detroit,  she  came  to  them  in  the  spring  of  '83,  on 
the  Huron  (Clinton)  River,  where  her  husband,  the  same 
summer,  to  her  great  joy,  came  back  again  to  her  from 
Bethlehem,  with  whom  she  then  lived  quite  pleasantly, 
and  went  steadily  hand  in  hand  with  him,  more  than  ever 
before.  Last  year,  in  Cuyahoga,  she  had  a  severe  illness. 
Thus  she  passed  through  all  changes  and  tribulations  with 
the  Indian  church,  enduring  much  misery  and  trouble, 
which  was  not  easy  for  her,  and  at  times  this  was  too  hard 
for  her.  Especially  was  she  inclined  from  fear  to  live  too 
much  alone,  if  it  seemed  to  be  dangerous,  and  too  will- 
ingly to  believe  the  lies  and  frightful  stories,  whereby  she 
made  life  hard,  not  for  herself  alone,  but  she  was  of  no 
use  to  others,  but  rather  a  harm;  this  often  grieved  us, 
that  she  wasted  her  time  therewith  so  uselessly.  Even 
then,  however,  she  knew  how  to  find  comfort  and  advice 
nowhere  else  than  wnth  the  Saviour,  for  she  always  came 
to  herself  again,  and  clang  to  him,  who  always  gave  her 
aid,  and  it  never  occurred  to  her  that  she  would  anywhere 
be  better  and  safer  than  in  the  church.  The  Saviour  has 
never  made  her  ashamed,  has  upheld  her,  and  in  good 
time  let  her  depart  in  his  arms  and  bosom.  She  is  now  in 
safety  there,  where  evil  is  no  more  to  be  met,  the  Lord 
be  praised ;  she  left  behind  a  daughter  and  two  grand- 
cbildren  in  the  church.     She  was  over  sixty  years  old.     In 


HURON   RIVER,   1787.  369 

the  evening  we  laborers,  together  with  Br.  Schebosh,  had 
a  blessed  Lord's  supper,  in  reference  to  the  late  choir 
festivals. 

Sunday,  Sept.  9.  Brother  Michael  preached.  Many 
strangers,  Delawares  and  Chippewas,  were  here.  Ed- 
wards held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  10.  David  held  early  service.  Helena  set  out 
home  again,  and  will  return  to  us  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Tuesday,  11.  David  held  early  service.  Yesterday  and 
to-day  most  of  the  brethren  went  to  the  lake  in  different 
places  and  some  to  the  islands,  to  dig-ginseng,  that  they 
may  get  clothing  from  its  sale,  for  by  hunting  they  can 
earn  little,  the  pelts  being  worth  little.  They  get  for  a 
bushel  three  or  four  dollars;  if,  then,  they  come  to  a  place 
where  there  is  a  good  deal  of  it,  it  repaj^s  their  trouble. 
Sicknesses  lessen  now  among  us,  wherewith  many  have 
been  afflicted,  for  instance,  yellow  fever,  which  attacks  the 
head,  and  they  who  have  it  lie  for  many  days  speechless. 

Wednesday,  12.  A  Shawano  came  here  from  Gigeyunk, 
who  tracked  an  Indian,  and  here  overtook  him,  who  had 
stolen  his  horse  and  twice  run  away.  The  Shawano  came 
only  to  get  the  Indian,  and  said  if  he  came  home  he  would 
be  killed,  for  he  was  the  greatest  thief  among  the  Indians, 
and  had  already  stolen  much. 

Friday,  14.  We  learned  from  the  Shawano  that  things 
are  said  not  to  be  so  bad  in  the  Indian  land  as  we  have 
always  heard,  that  the  chiefs  are  for  peace,  and  that  the 
Shawanese  let  their  prisoners  go,  and  have  already  surren- 
dered many  ;  that,  to  be  sure,  there  are  wretched  creatures 
who  go  to  war  and  say  there  would  be  war,  but  he  knew 
there  would  be  no  war,  for  he  was  present  in  the  council 
and  knew  what  the  chiefs  had  resolved.  This  was  com- 
forting news  for  us. 

Sunday,  16.  David  preached  from  the  Gospel :  ISTo  man 
can  serve  two  masters,  and  Edwards  held  the  congregation 
meeting.  Pew  of  the  brethren  were  at  home.  There  came 
two  Mingoes  here  from  Sandusky,  where  some  dwell. 
From  them  we  heard  that  the  chiefs  have  not  been  invited 
24 


370  zeisberger's  diary. 

to  a  council  at  Pittsburg,  but  that  a  message  with  a  piece 
of  tobacco  had  been  sent  them,  and  it  was  said  they  should 
smoke  this  in  their  pipes,  and  earnestly  look  at  the  road  to 
Pittsburg,  they  would  soon  see  some  one  coming  ;  they 
should  hold  themselves  ready  to  receive  the  messenger. 
Also  tbey  got  an  admonition  because  they  let  horse-thieves 
go  in  and  out  among  them. 

Wednesday,  19.  Joseph,  who,  a  short  time  ago,  had 
sent  us  word  by  a  savage,  and  begged  us  to  have  com- 
passion with  him,  and  permit  him  again  to  come  to  us,  for 
he  had  been  sick  and  was  hardly  yet  recovered,  came,  upon 
getting  leave,  with  his  w  ife,  an  unbaptized  woman,  to  re- 
main. 

Thursday,  20.  To-day  and  the  following  days  the  breth- 
ren got  home  from  the  lake.  Some  canoes  which  had 
gone  to  the  islands  were  much  hindered  by  windy  weather 
and  kept  there  a  long  time,  so  that  they  could  not  get  away, 
and  as  they  were  not  provisioned  for  such  a  length  of  time 
they  suffered  generally  great  hunger,  until  by  good  weather 
they  got  away.  While  they  were  there  ships  came  from 
Detroit  and  Niagara  and  anchored,  from  which  they  wished 
to  buy  some  provisions,  but  got  little.  On  one  ship  was 
Joseph  Brant,  with  seventy  Indians,  on  his  way  to  De- 
troit.    They  all  came  home,  however,  with  good  ladings. 

Saturday,  22.  At  noon  ten  white  people  arrived  with  a 
herd  of  cattle  from  Pittsburg  for  Detroit.  We  are  not 
pleased  that  they  now  begin  to  make  their  journey  through 
the  place  where  we  live,  but  we  have  no  help  for  it,  for 
wherever  we  are,  white  people  and  Indians  at  once  find 
their  way  to  us,  even  if  it  be  a  hundred  miles  out  of  their 
road.  They  did  not  stay  in  town,  but  went  a  little  further 
on  beyond  the  river  and  encamped,  but  we  were  yet 
anxious  they  might  here  come  to  harm  from  the  Chip- 
pewas  and  Tawas,  who  live  on  the  lake.  Our  fear  also 
was  not  vain,  for, 

Sunday,  23,  while  we  were  in  our  chapel  at  the  sermon, 
a  party  of  Chippewas  and  Tawas  came,  who  had  already 
heard  about  them,  opened  the  doors  of  the  chapel  and 
peered  about,  seeing  us  assembled.     Some  Indian  brethren 


1 


HURON  RIVER,   1787.  37l 

went  out  to  them,  and  they  made  no  further  disturbance. 
When  we  separated,  we  learned  that  they  had  come  with 
no  good  intention,  but  wanted  to  fall  upon  the  cattle-drivers. 
We  gave  them  food,  talked  with  them,  and  admonished 
them  to  do  no  such  thing,  telling  them  there  was  no  war, 
and  if  they  used  hostilities  it  would  be  nothing  else  than 
declaring  war.  They  promised  to  do  no  harm,  but  only  to 
speak  with  them  and  hear  how  they  were.  Some  of  our 
Indians  ran  to  the  camp  of  the  white  people,  and  when 
they  no  longer  found  them  there,  for  they  had  already 
broken  up,  they  followed  after  them  and  gave  them  warn- 
ing thereof,  and  brought  them  baek^again.  When  now 
the  Chippewas  came,  they  talked  with  the  white  people, 
saying  they  should  not  go  farther,  but  turn  about,  giving 
as  a  reason  that  they  could  not  get  through,  but  would 
lose  every  thing,  and  even  be  themselves  killed.  In  the 
evening  they  came  into  the  town  together,  and  the  Chip- 
pewa head-man  asked  for  one  of  the  cattle  from  them, 
which  they  promised  and  gave,  also  one  for  us,  which, 
however,  we  did  not  take.  It  did  not  stop  here,  but  they 
had  to  exchange  muskets  and  horses,  for  which  they  gave 
wretched  and  good-for-nothing  wares,  and  so  at  last  they 
got  rid  of  them  after  promising  to  turn  about.  They  still 
remained  here  the  24th,  and  some  of  our  Indians  bought 
a  few  cows, 

Tuesday,  25,  but  the  French  trader  came,  who  told  the 
white  people  to  set  out  on  their  way  to  Detroit,  and  not 
to  regard  that  liar,  the  Chippewa,  there  was  no  such  dan- 
ger as  he  told  them.  This  they  did,  and  crossed  over  the 
creek  again  to-day  into  their  camp,  and, 

Wednesday,  26,  continued  their  way.  Michael  held 
early  service.  We  had  heard  that  another  party  of  drov- 
ers had  lost  their  way  near  the  lake,  and  were  near  San- 
dusky Bay.  Quite  early  we  sent  an  Indian  to  them,  who 
lead  them  here,  for  we  feared  they  might  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  Chippewas. 

Thursday,  27.  Now  and  for  some  time  afterwards  there 
was  daily  much  visiting  from  strangers.  A  big  boy  with 
his  friends  came  here,  and  did  not  at  all  wish  to  go  away, 


372  zeisberger's  diary. 

but  remained  here,  saying  he  wished  to  live  like  the  be- 
lieving Indians,  that  he  was  old  enough  to  think  for  him- 
self how  he  wanted  to  live,  and  told  his  friends  they 
should  let  him  go.  Another,  the  friend  of  Adolphus,  from 
the  Mousey  town,  came  here  visiting,  expressly  to  hear 
something  good;  with  him  Adolphus  spoke  almost  the 
whole  night,  answering  all  his  questions.  When  he  v/ent 
away  he  said  he  should  soon  come  again. 

Saturday,  29.  We  had  the  Lord's  supper,  the  brethren 
having  been  spoken  with  the  preceding  days. 

Sunday,  30.  Communion  liturgy.  Michael  preached 
and  David  held  the  quarter-hour  for  the  baptized  and  the 
congregation  meeting  from  the  day's  Scripture-verse. 
There  was  a  conference  with  the  assistants  about  matters. 

Monday,  Oct.  1.  Edwards  held  early  service.  Br.  David 
wrote  to  Bethlehem  by  Joshua,  who  escorted  the  two 
white  people  to  the  fort.  A  woman  from  the  Mousey 
town  on  the  Sandusky  came  here  out  of  the  bush  from 
hunting  and  begged  the  brethren  to  tell  her  something 
about  the  Saviour.  She  remained  here  over  night  and  it 
happened.  Our  Jeremy,  who  has  been  for  a  time  apart  from 
us,  although  nearly  every  day  he  has  been  here  for  a  visit, 
came  to-day  with  his  wife  to  remain,  upon  his  earnest 
wish  and  prayer,  after  getting  permission  from  the  assist- 
ants' conference.  He  has  lately  taken  this  wife,  and  she 
will  also  gladly  be  the  Saviour's. 

Tuesday,  2.  On  the  other  hand,  we  saw  ourselves  com- 
pelled to  send  A.  Regina  from  the  church  [David  held 
early  service],  which  had  the  good  and  ble.ssed  effect  that 
it  was  for  her  a  blessing,  and  we  took  her  again  anew. 

Thursday,  4.  To-day  and  lately  different  houses  have 
been  built.  Our  town  grows,  and  we  increase  in  numbers. 
All  the  Indians  who  come  here  cannot  enough  wonder 
that  in  so  short  a  time  so  many  houses  have  been  built, 
and  so  much  work  done.     Edwards  held  morning  service. 

Saturday,  6.  Michael  held  morning  service.  Two  wo- 
men, who  several  days  ago  came  to  visit  us  here  from  the 
Mousey  town  to  hear  something  good,  and  have  omitted 
no  service,  went  home  again,  but  left  their  things  here. 


HURON  RIVER,   1787.  373 


saying  they  should  come  back  after  gathering  their  har- 
vest. 

Sunday,  7.  David  preached.  Edwards  addressed  the 
children,  and  David  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Wednesday,  10.  Many  went  for  some  weeks'  hunting 
to  Cuyahoga.  We  got  a  message  from  Pomoacan  to  send 
some  one  to  the  treaty  at  Tawa  (Ottawa)  River,  but  no 
one  of  our  Indians  w^ent.  Pomoacan  does  not  yet  know 
that  our  Indians  have  nothing  to  do  with  treaties.  Br. 
David's  additional  building  was  blocked  out  and  made 
ready. 

Friday,  12.  Helen's  daughter  [Scapp]  came  here  with 
her  husband,  and  rejoiced  to  see  us^^again.  Her  parents 
were  in  the  church  and  now  are'^both  dead.  The  small- 
pox makes  great  havoc  among  the  Wyandots  both  sides 
of  the  lake.  It  is  noteworthy  that  it  afflicts  just  these  and 
no  other  nations ;  even  those  who  have  lied  far  away  into 
the  bush  have  yet  had  it.  Many  houses  in  Sandusky  have 
lost  all -their  dwellers,  stand  empty,  and  there  are  said  to 
be  hard!}^  so  many  alive- and  well  as  have  died.  In  San- 
dusky about  sixty,  and  over  the  lake  also  above  thirty  have 
died. 

Saturday,  13.  This  week  the  brethren  began  to  get  in 
their  corn.  Even  that  which  was  planted  late  and  which 
we  thought  would  not  mature,  has  ripened,  and  thus  far, 
the  middle  of  the  month,  we  have  had  no  harmful  frost. 
Lewis  and  others  came  back  from  harvestins;. 

Sunday,  12.  Br.  Edwards  preached.  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting. 

Tuesday,  16.  The  brethren  harvested  the  fields  of  Br. 
Zeisberger  and  his  wife. 

Thursday,  18.  The  brethren  went  together  hunting, 
Michael  held  early  service. 

From  Gigeyunk  a  couple  of  Indians  came  to  Thomas, 
to  give  him  news  of  the  circumstances  in  which  they  are, 
for  one  of  them  is  a  great  friend  of  his.  They  complained 
that  the  Delaware  nation  was  in  grievous  condition,  they 
knew  not  whither  to  go  nor  where  to  settle;  where  they 
now  are  they  cannot  remain,  since  the  nations  will  not  suf- 


374  zeisberger's  diary. 

« 

fer  them  there  ;  they  have  made  entreaty  the  whole  sum- 
mer, sending  m-essage  after  message  to  the  Spaniards  to 
make  arrangements  with  them,  and  to  move  thither ;  some 
indeed  have  ah'eady  gone  there,  who  now  send  them  back 
word  to  let  no  one  follow,  for  they  are  there  in  very  nar- 
row straits,  and  would  gladly  come  back  were  it  in  their 
power;  they  were  not  sure  of  their  lives,  the  nations  there 
having  resolved  to  root  them  out ;  they  were  hemmed  in 
and  could  not  come  free  ;  they  would  have  to  be  helped  ; 
since  now  the  Delawares  saw  that  they  had  no  steadfast 
place,  they  first  turned  to  the  Six  N'ations  and  asked  them 
for  land ;  they  answered  them  they  could  not  help  them, 
for  they  had  themselves  not  a  foot  of  land  they  could  call 
their  own  ;  they  addressed  the  Wyandots,  who  told  them 
they  had  given  them  leave  to  dwell  on  their  land,  had  also 
told  them  how  far  the  bounds  of  their  land  extended,  but 
that  they,  the  Delawares,  had  disregarded  their  request, 
and  had  gone  over  their  boundaries  to  other  nations,  there- 
fore they  would  make  them  no  more  offers.  The  Twight- 
wees,  whom  they  then  addressed,  had  pointed  out  to  them 
a  place  where  they  could  settle,  but  where  they  were  sur- 
rounded by  swamps,  and  also,  as  it  were,  closed  in.  They 
suffered  hunger,  too,  all  the  time,  for  their  corn  did  not 
thrive,  and  was  frosted.  So  it  is  with  the  Delaware  nation, 
which  a  few  years  ago  greatly  flourished,  but  since  the  old 
chiefs,  Netawatwes  and  White  Eyes,  are  dead,  it  goes  with 
hasty  steps  to  ruin. 

Saturday,  20.  The  brethren  harvested  the  fields  of  the 
single  brothers.  The  Lord  has  blessed  all  our  fields,  and 
the  brethren  have  all  a  rich  harvest  to  gather,  a  great  kind- 
ness for  us. 

Sunday,  21.  Michael  preached  about  the  wedding-gar- 
ment, Christ's  blood  and  righteousness,  which  we  have 
given  us  for  nothing,  wherein  to  appear  before  God.  Da- 
vid held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Tuesday,  23.  We  learn  that  the  Delawares  in  Gigeyunk 
have  again  murdered  six  white  people  over  the  river. 
From  Pittsburg  Indians  came  with  rum,  who,  without  our 
knowledge,  before  we  were  aware  of  it,  for  they  came  not 


HURON  RIVER,  1787.  375 

into  town,  encamped  here  in  our  neighborhood,  and  caused 
us  two  disorderly  days  and  nights  by  the  drunkenness  they 
brought  about  among  strange  Indians,  who  came  into  town ; 
they  also  shot  our  swine,  so  that,  from  their  drunkenness, 
we  had  for  once  to  omit  our  service.  The  Indian,  Amochol, 
came  here  with  his  wife  and  stayed  several  days,  who  al- 
ways, as  long  as  we  were  upon  the  Ohio,  showed  himself  a 
friend  of  the  brothers.  He  said  that  he  and  his  wife  were 
of  one  mind  about  coming  here  into  the  church,  but  he 
would  like  to  bring  his  sons  also,  and  will  seek  therefore 
to  bring  them  around  to  be  of  his  mind. 

Friday,  26.  Inasmuch  as  we  have  several  times  since  we 
have  been  here,  heard  a  wicked  report  that  the  Chippewas 
cherish  hostility  against  us,  and  indeed  for  this  reason, 
since  they  say  we  sold  their  land  over  the  lake  to  white 
people,  although  we  ourselves  have  not  yet  heard  it  from 
them,  and  yet  they  often  come,  aud  we  have  also  asked 
them  about  it,  our  Indian  brethren  were  uneasy  about  the 
matter,  having  lately  even  heard  it  from  Delawares,  and 
wished  something  to  be  done.  So  for  their  satisfaction  we 
sent  Br.  Edwards  with  some  Indian  brethren  to  Detroit, 
and  Br.  David  wrote  about  the  matter  to  Capt.  McKee  and 
Mr.  Askin,  to  learn  how  much  there  was  in  the  thing,  and 
also  that  it  might  be  put  out  of  the  way.  These  brethren 
started  on  the  28th  with  a  good  wind  over  the  lake  for 
Detroit.  Matthew,  who  came  to  us  in  the  spring,  went  to 
Gigeyunk  to  get  his  things  there,  to  be  back  again  in  two 
weeks.  By  him  we  sent  word  to  our  Indians  that  we 
longed  very  much  to  see  some  one  of  them. 

Sunday,  28.  Br.  David  preached  about  the  strength  we 
have  in  the  Lord,  our  Saviour,  and  find  in  his  merits,  if 
only  we  always  live  thereon,  to  overcome,  uninjured,  Sa- 
tan's temptations.    Michael  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  29.  By  Luke's  son,  who  came  from  Sandusky, 
we  heard  that  the  treaty  on  the  Miami  had  been  concluded, 
the  young  people  released,  and  told  each  one  could  go  to  his 
hunting,  and  that  nothing  had  happened.  At  the  same 
time  we  heard  that  most  of  our  Indians  were  also  pres- 
ent at  the  treaty,  and  this  made  us  wonder  so  much  the 


376  zeisberger's  diary. 

more,  because  they  were  already  so  near  us,  and  yet  none 
of  them  had  come  to  visit  us. 

Wednesday,  31.  After  most  of  the  brethren  were  done 
with  harvesting,  they  went  out  for  chestnuts  and  some, 
hunting.  Moreover  we  have  had  several  cold  days  and 
very  windy  weather,  with  snow  and  rain,  in  turn. 

Sunday,  Nov.  4.  Br.  Michael  preached  about  this,  that 
we  should  forgive  one  another's  faults  as  the  Saviour  also 
daily  freely  forgives  our  faults.  Br.  David  held  the  com- 
munion quarter-hour  about  the  commandment  we  have 
from  God  to  love  one  another,  and  not  to  cherish  any  ill- 
will,  much  less  hate,  one  towards  another,  which  does 
away  with  all  the  benefit  of  the  holy  communion,  so  that 
we  have  no  advantage  therefrom,  which  we  should  and 
can  have.  By  the  Scripture-verse  :  Lord,  thou  hast  been 
favorable  unto  thy  land  :  Thou  hast  brought  back  the  cap- 
tivity of  Jacob,  the  brethren  were  reminded  not  to  forget 
the  kindness  the  Saviour  had  hitherto  shown  us,  to  recall 
the  Saviour  to  mind  therefor,  which  would  lead  us  to  thank- 
fulness towards  him,  that  we  should  put  our  confidence  in 
him  alone,  and  pray  that  he  go  farther  with  us,  and  send 
peace  to  the  land.  From  Detroit  came  the  drovers  on  their 
way  back  to  Pittsburg.  They  had  been  on  the  Miami, 
where  three  thousand  Indians  were  said  to  be  assembled; 
when  they  came  there  they  lost  by  the  Indians  over  eighty 
head  of  cattle  [and  thus  over  £200],  which  they  shot  down, 
and  there  was  no  defence  nor  check.  They  had  letters 
from  McKee  and  Brant  for  Congress,  and  brought  a  letter 
from  the  chiefs  in  Sandusky  to  Br.  David,  wherein  they 
recommended  to  us,  in  the  name  of  all  nations,  to  convoy 
their  people  safely  to  Pittsburg,  that  no  harm  might  befall 
them,  for  they  were  express  messengers.  They  did  not 
speak  very  favorably  in  regard  to  the  intentions  of  the 
Indian  nations,  and  believed  a  war  was  intended,  and 
preparation  therefor  was  made.  They  yet  gave  four 
months'  time.  They  were  accompanied  to  the  Fort  by 
four  Indian  brethren.  From  Pittsburg  came  the  In- 
dian brethren,  Joshua  and  Michael,  with  a  white  man. 
They  left  Mr.  Bobbins,  who  wished  to  be  gone,  on  the 


HURON  EIVER,   1787.  377 

Mahoning,  and  believe  he  is  back  again  ;  since  they  were 
attacked  by  warriors  at  Salt  Lick,  whom,  however,  they 
drove  off,  so  by  this  way  it  is  no  longer  safe  to  travel.  We 
had  hoped  for  letters  from  the  church,  but  they  brought 
nothing. 

Tuesday,  6.  Strange  Indians  were  here  visiting  who  at- 
tended our  meetings. 

Friday,  9,  There  came  from  Detroit  a  boat-load  of  peo- 
ple, among  them  two  families,  who,  ten  years  before,  had 
moved  there  from  the  States,  and  now  went  back  again, 
among  them  was  a  family  from  Hebron  (near  Lebanon, 
Pa.),  who  were  acquainted  with  the  Brothers  Langgard 
and  Zahm,  for  the  man  had  gone  to  school  there. 

Saturday,  10.  After  the  brethren  had  been  spoken  to, 
we  had  the  holy  communion,  with  the  near  presence  of  our 
dear  Lord.  To-day  Br.  Edwards  came  back  from  Detroit 
with  the  three  brethren,  Stephen,  Peter,  and  Tobias,  after 
twelve  days  from  home.  He  had  spoken  with  the  com- 
mandant there,  Maj.  Matthews,  who  was  upon  the  point  of 
going  down  to  Canada^  as  also  with  McKee  and  Mr.  Askin, 
about  the  reports  we  had  heard  of  the  discontent  of  the 
Chippewas.  The  commandant  took  with  him  Br.  David's 
letter  to  McKee,  to  ask  further  about  it  from  Johnson  and 
others.  Otherwise  McKee  could  not  much  advise  him  in 
the  matter,  but  yet  he  had  learned  that  the  Chippewas 
inhabit  our  houses  in  our  town,  and  have  planted  there. 
On  the  other  hand,  Mr.  Askin  had  nothing  furtlier  to  say 
in  the  matter,  so  that  is  to  be  hoped  that  we  have  nothing 
to  fear  from  the  Chippewas,  since  they  have  our  towns  and 
fields  in  their  own  possession.  Moreover,  in  Detroit,  he 
had  found  things  quite  otherwise,  and  met  with  fewer 
strangers  than  when  we  were  there. 

Sunday,  11.  In  the  afternoon  the  people  from  Detroit 
set  forth  again  towards  Pittsburg.  We  had  to  let  them 
hire  an  Indian  brother,  Thomas,  as  pilot.  They  had  with 
them  two  women  and  many  children,  Br.  Edwards 
preached  and  David  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  12.     From  Pittsburg  came  Mr.  Robbins,  with 


378  zeisberger's  diary. 

some  goods.     One  of  his  people  was  wounded  by  wicked 
Indians  and  mortally. 

Tuesday,  13.  We  had  a  day  of  blessing  in  the  near 
presence^of  our  great  Elder  of  his  churches,  who  made 
himself  known  to  us  in  a  wonderful  way  and  overwhelmed 
us  with  blessing  from  his  bloody  fulness,  so  that  our  hearts 
were  melted  to  tears  before  him.  Early  in  the  morning 
there  was  a  common  service  for  the  sake  of  strangers. 
Aftewards  all  the  baptized  (had  a  service),  in  which,  after 
a  discourse  from  the  text^of  the  day,  Luke,  aniid  many 
tears,  received  absolution  from  the  church,  and  was  again 
taken  into  it.  The  congregation  then  fell  upon  their 
knees,  asked  gracious  absolution  for  all  their  failings  and 
shortcomings,  gave  ourselves  anew  to  him,  and  asked  him 
further  to  continue  his  blessed  rule  among  us,  to  be  gra- 
ciously pleased  to  walk  among  us  and  after  his  heart  to  do 
with  us,  and  we  vowed  to  him  anew  obedience  and  fealty. 

Wednesday,  14,  Mr.'Hobbins  turned  back  to  Pittsburg. 
Michael  held  early  service. 

Thursday,  15.  Yesterday,  to-day,  and  the  following  days 
our  Indian  brethren  went  off  to  their  autumn  hunt,  some 
to  Cuyahoga,  others  elsewhither,  and  were  scattered  in  the 
bush.  From  Gigeyunk  there  came  a  boy,  Michael's  son, 
who  has  not  been  baptized.  Gideon,  as  we  hear,  who  was 
in  Sandusky  this  summer,  but  came  not  here,  is  dead. 

Friday,  16.  Delawares  came  from  Gigeyunk  here  visit- 
ing. Of  Helena,  Samuel's  former  wife,  we  heard  she  was 
in  Sandusky  and  would  come  here  as  soon  as  she  could. 

Sunday,  18.  David  preached,  Michael  conducted  the 
children's  service,  and  Edwards  held  the  congregation 
meeting. 

Tuesday,  "20,  A  white  man,  a  Quaker,  who  lives  in 
Chester,  below  Philadelphia,  his  father  being  named  Isaac 
Pile,  and  who  this  summer  was  taken  prisoner  on  the 
Wabash  by  the  Biankeshaw  ^  Indians,  who  brought  him 


'"  Piankashaws  on  the  Wabash:  In  1780  but  950;  since  driven 
west."  Drake's  Book  of  the  Indians,  p.  x.  They  are  mentioned  in 
many  Indian  treaties. 


HURON  EIVER,   1787.  .   379 

to  the  Miami  towns,  where  he  got  away,  came  here  with- 
out having  been  seen  by  Indians  on  his  way,  and  beg- 
ged us  with  tears  to  help  him  to  Pittsburg,  but  this  was 
hard,  for  our  Indians  were  all  off  hunting,  or  a  part  in 
Pittsburg.  At  last  our  Samuel  had  pity  for  him,  and 
though  he  was  lame,  took  him  away  on  Thursday,  the  22d, 
for  which  he  was  fflad  and  thankful,  for  we  could  not  have 
kept  him  here  long,  through  fear  of  strange  Indians. 

Thursday,  22.  Helena,  Sam.  Moor's  former  wife,  came 
here  from  Sandusky,  with  her  two  children,  daughter  and 
grandchild,  to  remain,  for  whom  we  vacated  a  hut  to  live 
in.  Also  Cornelius'  son,  Matthew,  came  back  again  from 
Sandusky,  but  did  not  come  to  the  Miami  town,  as  he 
had  intended  and  thought,  since  the  Indians  there  were 
not  yet  come  back  from  the  treaty. 

Friday,  23.  Aaron  also  came  here  with  bis  wife  from 
the  Miami.  We  heard  the  comforting  news  that  the  na- 
tions at  the  treaty  were  yet  more  inclined  for  peace  than 
for  war,  and  that  the  Indians  who  in  the  spring  had  fled 
in  crowds  to  the  Miami  towns,  in  order  to  be  able  to  pre- 
pare for  war  there,  less  disturbed,  have  now  nearly  all 
come  back  again,  which  is  a  good  token  of  their  disposi- 
tion for  peace.  There  were  also  different  strange  Indians 
visiting  here.  By  Aaron,  Welandawecken  sent  us  word 
that  he  had  not  yet  forgotten  what  his  uncle,  Israel,  had 
said  to  him  and  impressed  upon  him,  when  he  made  over 
to  him  his  office  of  chief,  when  we  were  in  Sandusky, 
namely :  He  should  love  the  believing  Indians  ;  be  help- 
ful to  them  and  aid  them,  and,  so  far  as  lay  in  his 
power,  protect  them  from  the  wicked  Indians  and  love 
goodness,  which  Israel  himself  had  also  told  us  when  we 
made  objections  to  him  and  reproached  him  that  he  had 
put  him  in  his  place,  for  we  knew  him  well.  Now,  says 
this  Welandawecken,  he  has  not  forgotten  that,  but  has 
yet  done  nothing,  since  we  are  under  the  sway  of  Pipe 
and  Pomoacan ;  the  time  would  yet  come,  however, 
when  he  would  tell  us  something,  and  we  should  hear 
something  from  him,  if  again  he  once  had  a  firm  place,  for 
now  he  was  disturbed  and  a  fugitive.     We  will  not  throw 


380  zeisberger's  diary. 

aside  this  word,  but  retain  it  till  the  right  hour  ;  who 
knows,  a  door  may  yet  thereby  be  opened  to  us  to  go  far- 
ther with  the  Gospel.  If  now  we  consider  his  words,  it 
cannot  be  that  he  means  only  the  believing  Indians,  for 
he  has  many  of  our  Indians  around  him,  who,  so  to  speak, 
stand  under  him.  Why  then  should  he  fish  for  the  hand- 
ful with  us  so  earnestly,  and  if  he  had  them  all,  what  good 
would  that  be  to  him  ?  He  means  then  not  so  much  the 
believing  Indians  as  the  missionaries,  and  thinks :  If  I 
have  them,  who  are  the  queen-bees,  the  believing  Indians 
will  come  together  about  them.  Whether  his  affair  comes 
from  an  upright  heart,  be  that  as  it  may,  we  will  leave  it 
unexamined,  if  only  something  can  thereby  be  won  for 
the  Saviour  and  his  affair.  May  the  Saviour  give  us 
peace  in  the  land  ! 

Sunday,  25.  David  preached  in  Indian,  no  interpreter 
being  present ;  strangers  were  present,  as,  also, 

Monday,  26.  Strangers  frequent  the  services  much  more 
eagerly  than  the  baptized  who  wander  in  error.  They 
come  but  seldom,  if  they  are  here.  They  are  ashamed, 
for  their  conscience  pricks  them. 

Thursday,  29.     Christina  bore  a  son,  and, 

Friday,  30,  the  wife  of  Abraham's  son,  Gegaschamind, 
also  bore  a  son. 

Saturday,  Dec.  1.  Two  Frenchmen  came  here  and  re- 
mained over  night. 

Sunday,  2.  1st  Advent.  David  held  all  the  Sunday 
services  in  Indian. 

Monday,  3.  All  the  sisters  went  for  nuts,  others  got 
meat. 

Thursday,  6.  Also  winter  weather  and  snow  came  on, 
the  first  this  autumn. 

Sunday,  9.  David  preached,  baptizing  the  little  son  of 
Ignatius  and  Christina,  born  on  the  29th  of  last  month, 
with  the  name  Philip,  into  the  death  of  Jesus.  He  came 
back  yesterday  home  from  hunting.  Late  in  the  evening 
young  Joachim  came  from  the  Miami  towns  here  for  a 
visit,  with  his  wife  and  three  children.  His  father,  old 
Joachim,  is  in  Detroit,  where  he  passes  the  winter. 


HURON  RIVER,  1787.  381 

J 

Wednesday,  12.     Thomas  came  back  from  Pittsburg. 

Thursday,  13,  Samuel,  and  Saturday,  15,  Adam,  with 
their  company  (arrived),  who  are  the  last,  all  having  es- 
corted white  people  to  the  Fort.  A  letter  from  Ettwein, 
dated  at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  8,  '87.  Thomas  and  bis  com- 
pany used  nineteen  days  in  getting  to  the  Fort,  for  there 
were  nine  children  with  them.  Had  not  Thomas  been 
with  them,  they  would  have  starved  in  the  bush,  for, 
when  they  got  from  here  to  Cuyahoga,  their  provisions 
were  all  gone,  and  Thomas  kept  the  whole  party  of  sev- 
enteen in  meat  all  the  way.  He  was  so  lucky  as  to 
shoot  twelve  deer  along  the  way,  for  he  dared  not  go 
away  from  the  company.  On  Saturday,  the  15th,  all  our 
hunters  came  home.  Gen'l  St.  Clair,  now  the  agent, 
asked  Samuel  what  we  would  do  if  there  should  be  war, 
and  where  we  thought  of  going,  but  this  he  would  not 
answer  him.  We  saw  from  the  circumstances  that  we  had 
something  to  expect.  Should  there  be  war,  we  are  in  a 
bad  way.  Where  should  we  turn  ?  Among  the  savages 
we  are  less  secure,  and  to  the  white  people  we  cannot 
bring  the  Indians,  for  we  cannot  trust  them  either,  on  ac- 
count of  the  dangerous  militia.  We  can  take  no  fore- 
thought, much  less  come  to  any  resolution,  and  we  should 
only  burden  our'lives.  Therefore  we  commend  ourselves 
to  our  dear  Father  to  guard  and  protect  us. 

Sunday,  16.  Br.  Michael  preached.  In  the  following 
service  for  all  baptized,  Helena,  who  came  here  to  remain 
on  the  22nd  of  last  month,  was  absolved  and  again  ad- 
mitted to  the  church.  In  the  communion  quarter-hour 
the  Lord's  supper  was  announced  to  the  brethren  for  next 
Saturday. 

Monday,  17.  We  brethren  made  more  benches  for  our 
chapel.  Although  it  is  much  larger  than  the  one  in  Cuy- 
ahoga was,  yet  it  is  already  too  small,  and  if  we  should 
remain  here  longer,  we  must  enlarge  it. 

Thursday,  20.  Speaking  for  the  Lord's  supper,  as, 
also, 

Fridaj^,  21,  it  was  continued.  The  young  man  who 
came  to  us  on  the  15th  of  last  month  from  Gigeyunk, 


382  zeisbbrger's  diary. 

Michael's  son,  who  had  lived  with  us  in  Thuppekiink, 
when  a  boy,  having  now  become  a  man,  got  leave  from 
the  assistants,  upon  his  request,  to  live  here. 

Saturday,  22.  We  had  the  holy  communion  in  the  near 
presence  of  our  dear  Lord.  Strange  Indians  from  San- 
dusky, among  others,  Moses,  also,  with  his  family,  came 
here  visiting.  Aaron,  who  made  a  long  visit  here,  and 
certainly  did  not  go  away  with  a  quiet  heart,  was,  as  we 
hear,  almost  killed  in  a  drunken  brawl. 

Sunday,  23.  Br.  Edwards  preached  from  to-day's  text : 
Christ  hath  abolished  death  and  hath  brought  life  and 
immortality  to  light  through  the  Gospel.  It  snowed  hard 
all  day,  and  a  deep  snow  fell. 

Monday,  24.  We  had  a  very  blessed  Christmas-watch, 
begun  with  a  love-feast.  At  consideration  of  the  incar- 
nation and  birth  of  our  Saviour  countless  tears  were  shed. 
We  laid  our  thanks  before  him  and  our  gratitude  for  his 
holy  incarnation,  passion,  and  death.  At  the  end  candles 
were  distributed  and  all  went  joyfully  home. 

Tuesday,  25.  Br.  Michael  preached,  and  then  the  chil- 
dren had  a  service  and  sang:  The  Infant  in  his  manger 
lay,  with  joyful  hearts  and  mouths.  In  a  service  after 
this,  Gegaschamind,  Abraham's  son,  his  wife  and  the  child 
born  here  on  the  30th  of  last  month,  which  is  the  whole 
family,  were  baptized  into  the  death  of  Jesus  amid  many 
tears,  both  of  those  baptized  and  of  those  present,  the  first 
with  the  name  Boaz,  his  wife  with  the  name  Abigail,  and 
the  child  Gottlieb.  This  was  a  heart-moving  affair,  and 
accompanied  with  the  near  presence  of  the  Holy  Trinity. 
This  is  again  a  clear  proof  of  the  extraordinary  mercy  of 
the  Saviour,  for  Br.  David,  to  whom  he  told  the  whole 
story  of  his  life,  certified  that  we  never  yet  had  had  to 
do  with  a  servant  and  slave  of  Satan  of  a  kind  like  him. 
May  the  Saviour  protect  him  and  them,  and  let  them 
prosper  to  his  glory  and  honor.  The  brethren  who  have 
their  baptismal  day  on  this  day,  came  with  the  assistants 
to  a  love-feast  together,  whereby  was  singing  and  exhor- 
tation.   Several  begged  for  the  bath  of  baptism.    Strangers 


HURON   RIVER,    1787.  383 

were  here  during  the  holidays  visiting,  were  present  at  all 
services,  and  looked  on  at  the  baptism. 

Wednesday,  26.  Br.  Edwards  held  the  early  service. 
The  assistants  met  with  the  brethren  to  attend  to  all  sorts 
of  circumstances  and  necessities.  We  have  been  for  some 
time  speaking  with  the  assistants  about  building  a  school- 
house,  so  that  the  assistants  also  may  have  a  place  where 
they  can  meet  in  an  orderly  manner.  This  they  now 
themselves  brought  about  without  our  aid.  We  should 
not  have  suggested  it  to  them  now  in  the  winter  and 
during  the  deep  snow.  We  have  also  always  waited  until 
we  should  certainly  know  whether  we  should  be  here 
longer  than  this  winter,  but  since  all  the  brethren  were  so 
for  it  and  willing,  we  said  nothing,  and  let  it  go  on.  Thus 
they  went, 

Thursday,  27,  to  work,  earnest  and  comforted,  and  made 
the  beginning.  The  strangers  who  were  here  visiting 
during  the  holidays,  and  had  heard,  publicly  and  privately, 
the  word  about  the  incarnation  and  birth  of  the  Saviour, 
and  had  also  been  present  at  the  baptism,  went  back  home, 
promising  to  come  again  soon. 

Sunday,  30.  David  preached  from  the  text :  When  the 
fulness  of  the  time  was  come,  God  sent  forth  his  son,  and 
Edwards  held  the  congregation  meeting.  Several  came 
and  expressed  their  longing,  both  for  baptism  and  for  re- 
ception into  the  church. 

Monday,  31.  They  were  done  with  blocking  out  the 
school-house.  The  assistants  spoke  with  Jeremy  and  his 
wife  and  made  peace  between  them. 

At  the  accustomed  time  we  assembled  for  the  close  of 
this  year,  beginning  with  a  love-feast.  We  thanked  the 
Saviour  for  all  the  goodness,  grace,  and  kindness  he  had 
imparted  to  us,  bodily  and  spiritually,  having  blessed  us 
in  every  way,  so  much  the  more  our  hearts  were  aroused 
to  praise  him  and  to  be  thankful  to  him  therefor,  for  we 
had  expected  a  hard  year,  at  least  during  the  summer,  but 
he  has  overwhelmed  us,  doing  more  than  we  hoped.  We 
begged  gracious  absolution  for  all  our  faults  and  short- 
comings, for  if  we  regard  our  Indians  as  a  whole,  we  are 


384  zeisberger's  diary. 

always  moved  to  thank  him  for  the  grace  he  shows  in 
them,  but  in  individuals  much  is  wanting;  we  wish  they 
were  better,  and  we  are  aware  of  their  deficiencies.  From 
this  w^e  learn  the  great  patience  and  mercy  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ.  We  commended  ourselves  to 
the  protection  of  our  dear  Father,  and  to  the  guidance  and 
fostering  care  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Thus  comforted,  we 
entered  upon  the  new  year,  and  with  the  assurance  that 
he,  through  this  new  year  also,  will  show  himself  among 
us  our  good  and  gracious  Saviour,  and  will  bring  us 
throuo;h  all  our  anxious  and  difiicult  circumstances. 

About  this  year  the  following  is  yet  to  be  observed  :  We 
had  arranged  for  this,  had  prepared  for  it,  and  made  the 
necessary  dispositions  for  it,  to  break  up  in  the  spring 
from  Cuyahoga  for  the  Muskingum.  When  the  time 
came,  however,  to  carry  out  our  plans,  we  found  so  many 
hinderances  and  troubles,  whereby  we  were  much  per- 
plexed and  distressed,  that  for  our  Indians'  sake,  whom  we 
did  not  wish  to  bring  into  danger  and  want,  we  did  not 
have  the  satisfaction  of  conducting  and  ending  the  affair. 
After  we  had  received  directions  from  the  Saviour  to  leave 
Cuyahoga  and  to  settle  between  Pettquotting  and  where 
we  were,  we  broke  up  April  19th,  and  on  the  24th  arrived 
there.  But  even  then  we  were  not  allowed  to  rest,  for  we 
had  hardly  all  got  there  when  we  received  a  message  from 
the  chiefs  that  we  could  not  stay  there,  but  must  come  to 
Sandusky.  Then  we  had  to  set  forth  upon  a  longer  way, 
until,  on  the  8th  and  10th  of  May,  we  all  came  to  Pett- 
quotting and  saw  that  our  time  was  gone  and  we  must 
necessaril}^  look  about  to  see  wdiere  we  could  plant,  that 
we  might  not  fall  into  too  great  need  of  food.  We  re- 
solved to  remain  there,  let  the  result  be  what  it  might.  And 
now  Satan  ceased  to  rage,  we  obtained  rest,  which  we  have 
enjoyed  since  we  have  been  here.  We  learn  here,  how- 
ever, that  the  Indians  had  already  agreed  that  they  would 
come  with  an  army  and  take  us  away,  provided  we  had 
gone  to  the  Muskingum,  and  that  would  infallibly  have 
followed,  for  they  spoke  together  decidedly  about  this,  not 
only  about  taking  the  teachers  captive,  but  killing  them. 


HURON   RIVER,   1787.  385 

We  had  our  chief  cause  of  anxiety,  where  we  should  get 
the  means  of  life.  We  were  in  no  condition,  on  account 
of  the  great  distance,  to  get  the  five  hundred  bushels  of 
corn,  granted  us  by  Congress,  which  lay  at  Mcintosh,  but 
herein  also  the  Saviour  has  wonderfully  cared  for  us,  for 
after  we  came  here  and  were  already  busy  planting,  there 
came  a  party  of  Indians  from  the  east,  who  wished  to  go 
to  the  Miami,  but  finding  us  here  they  remained  in  our 
neighborhood  and  planted.  They  had  much  corn,  from 
whom  our  Indians  were  able  to  buy  much  at  a  cheap  rate. 
Another  Indian,  a  woman,  who  had  planted  here  the  year 
before,  and  buried  her  corn  [over  fifty  bushels],  came  here 
and  did  likewise;  thus  were  we  helped,  and  our  Indians 
fared  better  than  the  Indians  in  Sandusky,  and  we  had 
always  comforted  ourselves  with  the  thought  that  there 
we  should  find  relief. 

Brs.  Michael  Jung,  and  John  Weigand  came,  the  first 
April  30th,  and  the  other  May  2d,  to  us  on  our  march, 
whom  Heckewelder  had  accompanied  as  far  as  Pittsburg, 
and  they  also  had  their  share  in  our  pilgrimage,  especially 
upon  the  stormy  lake;  they  rejoiced  us  with  letters  from 
the  church,  wherewith  we  were  refreshed.  The  last  went 
back  to  the  church  June  16th,  after  having  first  done  us  good 
service,  so  that  we  came  somewhat  into  order.  The  small- 
pox. 

We  acknowledge  it  as  an  especial  kindness  and  thank 
our  dear  Lord  for  the  quiet  and  peace  he  has  let  us  en- 
joy. Also  in  regard  to  the  savages  it  is  as  if  Satan's 
wrath  and  scorn  against  us  were  allayed,  for  formerly  we 
had  to  bear  so  many  wicked  threats,  which  did  not  cease 
while  we  were  in  Cuyahoga  and  in  other  places.  There 
.is  now  indeed  in  the  Indian  land  no  peace,  nor  do  we 
know  what  we  have  to  expect,  we  leave  that  to  our  dear- 
Lord,  we  have  our  best  trust  in  him.  If  we  wished  to 
have  much  care  and  to  vex  ourselves  hereover,  it  would 
help  us  not,  and  we  should  only  make  ourselves  trouble, 
therefore  the  more  pray  we  :  God  give  peace  in  this  land. 
£5 


386  zeisberger's  diary. 

The  nations  are  indeed  before  him  as  a  drop  of  a  bucket. 
(Is.,  xl,  15.) 

The  Scripture-verses  and  texts,  which  we  received  in 
March  by  way  of  Pittsburg,  were  our  daily  food  and 
nourishment  for  our  hearts.  The  preaching  of  the  Gospel 
was  a  blessing  to  many  strangers,  and  has  found  reception 
with  many. 

There  have  come  to  us  eighteen  persons  without  reck- 
oning Luke's  family,  which  also  has  come  back  to  the 
church.  One  baptized  girl.  Lea,  has  left  us,  who  married 
a  Chippewa. 

Kine  adults  have  been  baptized  this  year,  five  children, 
and  three  have  been  taken  into  the  church. 

We  have  had  the  holy  communion  nine  times,  to  which 
five  brethren  have  been  admitted. 

One  couple  married,  Lewis  and  Esther. 

Christina  Schebosh  and  the  little  boy,  Augustus,  have 
died. 

At  present  with  us — 

20  married  couples ^ 40 

6  single  men 6 

7  single  women 7 

8  widowers 3 

8  widows 8 

10  big  boys.... 10 

10  big  girls 10 

19  boys • 19 

20  girls.... 20 

Total 123 

[Of  whom  40  are  communicants.]  '28  more  than  at  the 
close  of  last  year. 


AT    NEW    SALEM,  1788.  387 

/ 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

1788. 
New  Salem,  on  the  Hurox,  Ohio  (Pettquotting). 

Tuesday,  Jan.  1.  Br.  Michael  preached  about  Jesus, 
who  redeems  his  people  from  their  sins,  as  the  angel, 
Gabriel,  foretold.  The  baptized  brethren  renewed  their 
covenant  with  the  Saviour,  to  give  him  obedience  and 
faithfuhaess ;  we  gave  ourselves  anew  to  him,  asking  for 
his  blessing  and  help  thereto.  A  sister,  Elizabeth,  received 
absolution,  and  Louisa,  a  grown  girl,  was  taken  into  the 
church.  From  the  neighborhood  we  had  strangers  visit- 
ing, who  were  present  at  the  services  and  heard  the  Gospel. 

Thursday,  3.  David  held  early  service  from  the  Scrip- 
ture-verse :  I  am  thine,  save  me.  From  the  bush  Indians 
came  here  from  hunting,  and  remained  several  days,  among 
them  one,  Amochol,  with  his  family,  who  before,  in  the  au- 
tumn, was  here  for  a  while  visiting,  and  his  daughter's 
husband ;  both  these  are  not  dead  in  their  hearts,  but  are 
uneasy  about  themselves,  and  seek  what  is  good.  Another 
was  from  the  the  family  of  the  departed  White  Eyes,  his 
brother's  son,  with  his  family;  these  heard  the  Gospel  not 
without  blessing  for  their  hearts.  Moreover,  during  the 
holidays  the  brethren  have  worked  industriously  to  get  the 
school-house  readv,  but  now  for  over  a  week  it  has  snowed 
nearly  every  day,  and  yet  the  snow  is  not  deep,  always 
meltiuc^  from  below  as  more  falls. 

Sunday,  6.  In  the  morning  service,  which  Br.  Edwards 
held,  we  asked  in  particular  for  the  Saviour's  presence  and 
blessing  for  the  day,  and  commended  ourselves  to  him,  and 
with  us  all  heathen  churches  to  his  grace.  In  the  second  serv- 
ice Jeremy's  brother  was  baptized  into  the  death  of  Jesus  by 
Michael  Jung,  with  the  name  Mark,  at  which  service  many 
strangers  were  present.     There  was  a  love-feast,  and  in 


388  zeisberger's  diary. 

the  congregation  meeting  the  grown  girl,  Pauline,  was 
taken  into  the  church.  It  was  a  day  of  grace  as  well  for 
strangers  as  for  brethren  ;  the  first  were  moved  and  there 
was  great  feeling  among  them.  Samuel  preached  to 
Amochol  and  his  daughter's  husband,  Amelia's  brother, 
half  the  night,  and  both  were  so  convinced  of  the  truth, 
especially  when  he  described  to  them  the  Saviour  upon  the 
cross,  how  his  hands  and  feet  were  pierced  with  nails  and 
his  side  transfixed,  that  they  broke  into  floods  of  tears. 
The  Saviour  be  praised  that  the  Gospel  of  his  incarnation, 
passion,  and  death  is  not  preached  and  heard  in  vain. 

Monday,  7.  Edwards  held  early  service.  Among  the 
strangers  went  on .  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  The 
brethren  told  them  they  should  take  with  them  what  they 
had  heard  here  as  provision  for  the  way,  and  industriously 
think  it  over  while  hunting.  To-day  they  went  away.  On 
the  other  hand,  "Weskochk  during  the  holidays  was  ready 
to  leave  the  church,  and  could  not  be  held  back,  for  she 
loved  the  world,  and  went  to-day  back  whence  she  had. 
come. 

Tuesday,  8.  Michael  held  early  service.  Our  school- 
house  was  roofed  and  the  floor  laid,  but  since  for  several 
days  it  has  been  intensely  cold,  they  had  to  let  it  rest  with- 
out finishing  it.  Mr.  Wilson  came  from  Sandusky  on  his 
way  to  Pittsburg,  and  sta3^ed  here  several  days. 

Thursday,  10.  David  held  early  service  from  the  text: 
And  grieve  not  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God.  A  Chippewa  sent 
us  a  lying  message  with  a  piece  of  tobacco,  which  wo  sent 
back  again  whence  it  came. 

Saturday,  12.  Edwards  held  early  service.  For  two 
weeks  now  it  has  been  very  cold,  snowing  nearly  every  day, 
and  the  snow  is  now  two  feet  deep,  and  as  our  town  is  very 
high  on  a  hill,  it  is  a  cold  place. 

Sunday,  13.  Br.  Edwards  preached.  The  large  boys 
had  for  their  day  a  service  from  last  year's  text:  Yet  I 
would  hav€  you  wise  unto  that  which  is  good  but  simple 
concerning  evil.  There  were  snow-squalls  all  day.  We 
wrote  to  Bethlehem. 

Monday,  14.     David  held  morning  service.     We  left  to 


AT    NEW    SALEM,  1788.  389 

the  assistants  to  arrange  some /matters  concerning  the 
brethren.  What  concerns  outward  circumstances  amonir 
the  brethren,  for  instance,  a  business  or  affair  where  the 
right  is  to  be  seen  to  and  matters  arranged,  where  it  con- 
cerns common  work  and  so  forth,  we  let  the  assistants  at- 
tend to  and  bring  things  into  order,  only  we  look  to  it 
that  right  and  justice  are  maintained,  and  nothing  is  de- 
cided by  regard  to  persons.  Weskochk  returned  to  her 
husband. 

Tuesday,  15.  Michael  held  early  service.  Mr.  Wilson, 
who  came  here  from  Sandusky,  went  away  to  Pittsburg, 
Joshua,  the  Indian,  accompanying  him  as  far  as  Cuyahoga. 
By  him  we  sent  letters  to  Bethlehem.  He  gave  us  hope 
that  peace  would  soon  be  made  with  the  nations,  since 
this,  he  said,  was  now  treated  of  with  them  on  quite 
another  footing.  The  Indian  brethren  went  away,  partly 
bear-hunting,  partly  to  seek  places  for  sugar-making,  but 
these  are  not  to  be  found  less  than  ten  or  twelve  miles 
from  here,  but  from  deep  snow  they  could  not  go  far, 
on  which  account  they  are  thinking  about  snow-shoes. 

Saturday,  19.  Edwards  held  early  service.  Since 
Christmas  we  have  cold,  Avinter  weather,  and  quite  deep 
snow.  When  now  two  days  ago  we  had  a  little  warm,  rainy 
weather,  we  hoped  the  snow  would  go  off,  but  it  changed 
soon,  and  to-day  and  to-night  so  deep  a  snow  fell  from 
the  north-east  as  we  have  not  yet  had  the  whole  winter. 
We  had  to  break  out  the  roads  in  town,  also  the  ap- 
proaches to  them. 

Sunday,  20.  David  preached  about  the  laborers  in  the 
vineyard,  which  parable  he  applied  to  the  brethren,  that 
in  the  church  it  often  happens  that  the  first  become  last, 
the  last  first,  if  brethren  use  their  time  badly  in  the 
church.  In  the  evening,  conference  with  the  assistants, 
about  increasing  their  number,  especially  of  female  as- 
sistants.    Heard  their  thoughts. 

Tuesday,  22.  All  the  brethren  came  home.  They 
could  do  nothing  on  account  of  deep  snow.  The  brethren 
met  in  the  evening,  the  men  and  women  separately,  and 
sang. 


390  zeisberger's  diary. 

Wednesday,  23.  Michael  held  early  service  about  this, 
that  we,  of  ourselves,  were  unable  to  think  any  thing 
good,  much  less  to  do,  that  we  have  need  of  the  Saviour 
for  every  thing,  and  without  him  can  do  nothing.  Ame- 
lia's brother  came  here  from  the  bush,  and  straightway 
expressed  his  disposition  to  live  here,  and  said  that  Amo- 
chol  was  on  his  way  hither.  He  told  Samuel  his  life  for 
many  years. 

Joshua,  who  went  with  Wilson  to  Cuyahoga,  came 
back.  The  snow  there  does  not  go  over  the  shoe,  while 
here  it  is  knee-deep. 

Thursday,  24.  Amochol  with  his  family  came  here  from 
hunting,  of  whom  mention  was  made  under  the  6th  of 
this  month.     They  could  not  stay  away  long. 

Friday,  25.  It  snowed  again  and  the  snow  was  now 
three  feet  deep,  so  that  it  was  hard.to  get  wood.  Amelia's 
brother  got  leave  to  live  here,  after  he  made  himself  ac- 
quainted with  our  rules. 

Saturday,  26.  Br.  Edwards  held  early  service  about  a 
holy  walk,  and  one  well  pleasing  to  God,  for  which  we 
should  strive  through  the  Saviour's  gra,ce,  who  gives  us 
the  power  thereto.  The  brethren  got  wood  ready  for  us. 
The  snow  was  now  three  and  a  half  feet  deep,  so  that 
there  was  no  hunting. 

Sunday,  27.  Michael  preached  about  the  sower.  Preach- 
ing was  farther  made  to  the  strangers,  for  which  they 
longed.  We  see  that  they  have  ears  to  hear ;  some  find 
themselves  moved,  and  say  :  "  I  have  heard  how  it  looks 
in  ray  heart."  David  held  the  communion  quarter-hour 
and  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  28.  Amochol  with  his  family  of  five  persons 
was  received  to  live  with  us.  He  had  given  us  to  under- 
stand his  longing  therefor  already  before,  when  he  was 
here  in  the  autumn,  and  now  he  stands  steadfast  thereby. 
He  said  that  he  had  already  once  resolved  to  come  to 
us,  when  we  were  still  living  on  the  Muskingum,  but  had 
not  then  arranged  his  matters  properly,  for  he  had  taken 
his  friends  and  the  chiefs  into  counsel,  since  he  had  al- 
ways been  a  fellow-counsellor ;  they  had  held  hira  back, 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  391 

telling  him  he  should  wait  awhile  and  not  be  the  first, 
they  would  yet  all  become  believers,  and  thus  nothing 
came  of  his  resolution.  For  this  reason  he  had  separated 
himself  from  the  Indians  for  ten  years,  had  not  gone  into 
their  towns,  but  had  supported  himself  in  the  bush  alone 
hunting,  so  that  he  might  come  to  us  without  temptation 
as  soon  as  we  were  again  established ;  he  had  let  neither 
his  friends  nor  the  chiefs  know  any  thing  about  it,  that 
he  wished  to  come  to  us,  for  if  he  had  done  so,  they 
would  have  known  how  to  answer  him  much  ;  they  would 
still  learn  it,  but  have  no  opportunity  to  say  any  thing  to 
him  about  it.  Already  he  is  quite  advanced  in  years,  an 
honorable  man,  only  it  is  a  pity  he  is  baptized,  of  which 
he  knows  very  little,  only  thus  much,  that  his  mother,  the 
well-known  French  Cathrine,^  brought  him  to  a  French 
priest  in  Canada,  when  he  was  a  little  boy,  and  he  bap- 
tized him.  While  the  assistants  were  together  and  talked 
with  them  all,  his  son,  a  large,  fine  looking  man,  said  to 
him.  in  Mingo  [for  he  thought  there  was  no  one  there 
who  understood  this  language]  :  "  But  thou  hast  already 
elsewhere  been  baptized,  what  will  now  farther  be  done 
with  thee?"  When  the  old  man  told  the  brothers  he 
was  baptized,  his  son  asked,  and  said  :  "  Must  he  then 
be  baptized  again,  now  that  he  is  with  you?"  The  breth- 
ren answered  him:  "  No,  he  will  not  again  be  baptized, 
but  taken  into  the  church."  They  showed  them  a  like 
instance  in  our  old  Cornelius.  This,  his  son,  asked  the 
brothers  about  many  things,  telling  them  also  he  did  not 
do  it  to  dispute  with  them,  but  wishing  to  know  how  it  was 
with  us  in  this  thing  or  in  that.  Among  other  things, 
he  said  also  that  he  had  again  forgotten  how  it  was  with 
the  seed,  of  which  he  heard  yesterday,  which  fell  upon 
the  field.  Samuel  answered  him  :  "  The  seed,  which  is 
the  word  of  God,  comes  many  times  to  a  heart  as  hard  as 
a  stone,  but  it  falls  thereon,  often  starts  up,  but  such  a  one 
makes  his  heart  hard,  so  that  it  cannot  take  root,  and 
thus  must  perish.     Thou   canst   then   observe  in  thyself 

^  See  note  under  Jan.  4,  1791. 


392  zeisberger's  diary. 

that  thy  heart  is  hard.  All  thy  friends,  thy  father,  mother, 
brothers,  have  spoken  from  their  hearts  and  brought  to 
light  their  longings,  but  thou,  on  the  contrary,  hast  been 
silent  the  whole  time,  and  this  is  a  token  that  thy  heart 
is  yet  too  hard.  The  seed  of  God's  word  cannot  enter 
nor  take  root."  He  replied  :  "  Yes,  certainly,  so  it  is 
with  me." 

Friday,  February  1.  Yesterday  and  to-day  was  speak- 
ing with  the  brethren  in  reference  to  the  Lord's  supper. 

Saturday,  2.  We  had  a  very  blessed  communion,  of 
which  Kenatus  now  first  partook,  the  Mohican,  who,  on 
account  of  his  trial  in  Easton,^  is  known  in  the  church. 
He  wandered  about  also  many  years  in  the  wilderness,  and 
came  to  us  at  Gnadenhiitten,  on  Huron  River  (Micliigan). 
Luke  and  Peter  were  readmitted.  A  grown  girl,  Johan- 
nette,  was  candidate.  A  mighty  grace  prevailed  thereby ; 
the  brethren  were  all  together  covered  with  blessing  from 
above.  Many  brethren  usually  came  from  the  chapel  after 
communion  to  our  house  to  kiss  us,  and  this  they  did  of 
their  own  accord,  not  bidden,  but  to-day  the  whole  body 
of  communicants  came,  kissed  and  greeted ;  even  went 
farther  and  exchanged  among  themselves  the  kiss  of  love 
and  peace.  The  Lord's  supper  is  to  our  brethren  a  blessed 
thing  and  sacrament,  which  they  value  high  and  dear ;  it 
is  more  than  all  to  them  and  is  always  a  great  blessing  for 
them.     If  they  had  it  not  they  could  not  stand. 

Sunday,  3.  Early  in  the  morning  was  read  the  commun- 
ion liturgy ;  afterwards  the  sermon  by  Br.  Edwards,  and 
David  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  4,  was  a  windy  day,  with  snow,  so  that  from 
this  we  had  to  give  up  early  service. 

Tuesday,  5.     The  cold  was  the  severest  we  have  had  the 
whole  winter,  and  lasted  also  two  or  three  days. 
•    Friday,  8.     In  the  morning  service  from  the  text :  Jesus 
is  able  to  save  them  to  the  uttermost,  that  come  unto  God 


^  He  had  been  accused  of  taking  part  with  savage  Indians  in  the 
murder  of  a  settler,  Stinton,  in  October,  1763.  He  was  arrested,  put 
in  prison  in  Philadelphia,  tried  in  Easton,  Pa.,  and  acquitted. 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  393 


by  him,  seeing  he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for 
them,  etc.  Ah,  Lord  Jesus  if  I  had  not  thee,  etc.  The 
discourse  was  about  the  boundless  mercy  of  the  Saviour  to- 
wards the  greatest  sinners,  if  only  the}'  wished  to  be 
blessed  and  helped ;  but  further  it  was  shown  that  he  who 
not  only  does  not  wish  to  receive  grace,  but  treads  it 
under  foot,  causes  vexation  and  harm  in  the  church.  This 
comes  to  pass  because  he  has  again  opened  his  heart  to 
Satan.  In  the  Scriptures  we  were  advised  and  commanded 
to  cast  out  from  among  us  such  wicked  opponents.  Thus 
it  was  told  the  brethren  that  Mamasu,  on  account  of  his 
wicked  conduct,  which  he  had  been  guilty  of,  should  be 
shut  out  of  the  church  till  he  acknowledged  his  sin  and 
repented  from  his  heart. 

Saturday,  9.  Edwards  held  early  service.  By  a  Chip- 
pewa, who  came  here  from  Cuyahoga,  we  heard  that  the 
snow  there  is  above  a  man's  hips  ;  that  the  Chippewas  suf- 
fered greatly  from  hunger,  having  no  snow-shoes,  and  had 
already  eaten  their  dogs,  until  they  could  make  snow- 
shoes. 

Sunday,  10.  David  preached  on  this  subject,  that  the 
Saviour  had  been  tempted,  even  as  we  are,  but  yet  without 
sin  ;  that  therefore  he  now  has  compassion  with  our  weak- 
ness and  is  mighty  with  the  weak  to  help  them ;  that 
Satan  cannot  harm  them.  Michael  held  the  congregation 
meeting.     We  have  a  right  prophetic  word. 

Monday,  11.  Edwards  held  early  service.  Matthew, 
Cornelius'  son,  also  Joachim,  with  his  family,  went  back 
to  the  Miami,  the  latter  promising  to  come  again  if  there 
should  be  peace.  The  former  has  now  been  with  us  nearly 
a  year.  We  and  the  Indian  brethren  have  spoken  much 
and  often  with  him,  exhorting  him  to  think  of  his  soul's 
salvation  and  to  reflect  farther.  All,  however,  seems  to 
be  in  vain.  He  cannot  resolve  to  be  wholly  the  Saviour's. 
Achguachter,  who  has  been  here  so  many  days,  when  she 
saw  Boaz,  said  there  came  utter  scoundrels  to  us,  seeking 
protection,  since  they  were  not  safe  among  the  Indians,  on 
account  of  their  misdeeds.  If  we  were  to  regard  this  we 
should  receive  none. 


394  ™ '- 


ZEISBERGEK  S    DIARY. 

Wednesday,  13,  Yesterday  and  to-day  many  went  out 
to  seek  sugar-places,  Samuel,  William,  and  others,  for 
there  is  a  thaw  and  the  snow  is  become  less  by  half.  Ed- 
wards held  morning  service, 

.  Friday,  15,  Chippewas  came  begging  for  corn,  for  they 
have  seldom  any  thing  to  eat  except  meat,  while  hunting. 
Michael  held  early  service.  Samuel  and  others  who  sought 
sugar-places  came  home. 

Sunday,  17.  Michael  preached  about  the  Canaanite 
woman.  Two  white  people  from  Detroit  came  here  on  their 
way  to  Pittsburg,  who  remained  here  several  days,  the 
snow  was  so  deep,  Br.  David  conducted  the  quarter-hour 
for  the  baptized.  The  brethren  were  directed  to  knowl- 
edge of  their  misery,  to  learn  to  know  their  hearts,  since 
then  they  would  always  find  reason  from  need  and  from 
love  to  look  to  him. 

In  the  evening,  in  the  congregation  meeting,  Jeremy 
was  freed  from  his  great  trouble,  who  had  been  openly  put 
out  of  the  church,  for  which  reason  more  than  a  week  he 
endured  great  need  and  anxiety,  so  that  he  could  neither 
sleep  nor  eat,  and  could  find  no  rest  day  or  night,  and 
seemed  more  like  a  corpse  and  an  object  worthy  of  pity. 
Upon  his  repeated  woeful  request,  he  was  again  compas- 
sionately received,  to  his  great  comfort  and  confusion. 

Late  in  the  evening  the  especial  watchfulness  of  the 
Saviour  for  us  was  shown,  for  while  the  single  brothers, 
with  some  Indians  also,  were  with  Br.  Zeisberger  and  his 
wife,  their  house  took  fire,  and  this  had  gone  so  far  that  if 
it  had  been  unobserved  a  few  minutes  longer,  it  could  not 
have  been  put  out,  for  the  house  inside  was  altogether  in 
flames.  But  the  Indian  brethren  ran  at  once  into  the 
burning  house  and  extinguished  the  fire  before  the  roof 
caught,  so  that  the  damage  was  but  slight  and  to  be  dis- 
regarded, and  this  fell  mostly  upon  Br.  Edwards, 

Monda}^  18.  Br.  Edwards  held  morning  service.  He 
asked  the  brethren  with  himself  to  thank  the  Saviour  for 
his  gracious  protection  in  the  calamity  of  fire.  Jeremy 
came  quite  early  to  express  his  thankfulness  for  the  mercy 
shown  him.     It  was  as  if  lie  were  come  from  death  to  life, 


AT   NEW    SALEM,    1788.  395 

and  we  can  believe  that  this  will  bring  about  his  perfect 
cure  and  everlasting  salvation.  We  have  indeed  many 
times  more  trouble,  yea,  perplexity,  with  an  intelligent 
soul  than  with  twenty  others,  but  if  it  then  be  won  for  the 
Saviour  our  trouble  is  richly  rewarded.  "We  are  for  this 
purpose  here,  to  save  souls  for  the  Saviour,  and  w^e  cannot 
pride  ourselves  upon  this,  that  we  have  done  what  we 
could.  Then  we  must  stand  back,  and  the  Saviour  has 
only  to  make  good  our  faults. 

Tuesday,  19.  Michael  held  early  service  upon  the  sac- 
rij&ce  of  Jesus  upon  the  cross  for  our  sins.  Many  brethren 
went  to  their  sugar-places. 

Friday,  22.  Michael  held  early  service.  Old  Beata  came 
and  told  her  heart,  that  she  could  not  see  wherein  she  had 
fallen  short;  this  was  shown  her,  and  therefore  she  per- 
ceived it.  She  said  :  "  I  am  already  so  old  [she  is  perhaps 
a  hundred,  or  not  far  from  it]  that  I  can  retain  little  of 
God's  word.  I  forget  straightway  what  I  hear,  but  I  yet 
believe  it  is  all  the  truth."  She  was  told  it  was  not  neces- 
sary for  her  salvation  to  know  much  and  to  retain  much, 
only  this  little,  that  the  Saviour  had  died  and  shed  his 
blood  for  her,  that  her  sins  were  forgiven  her  for  his  blood's 
sake,  and  for  his  blood's  sake  she  would  be  saved.  A  white 
man  from  Detroit  came,  who  on  the  lake,  where  his  horse 
broke  through  the  ice,  lost  it  and  every  thing.  He  went 
to  Pittsburg. 

Sunday,  24.  David  preached  from  the  Epistle :  Be  ye 
therefore  followers  of  God.  Michael  held  the  children's 
service  and  Edwards  held  the  congregation  meeting.  The 
rest  of  the  time  was  used  in  speaking  to  the  brethren, 
hearing  and  advising  them,  who  came  home  from  the 
bush,  and  will  again  go  to  their  sugar-huts. 

Monday,  25.  David  held  early  service  about  praising 
and  thanking  the  Lord, for  which  we  always  find  cause;  if 
we  come  to  the  Saviour  with  our  poverty  and  misery,  we 
are  comforted  and  made  content  therewith ;  this  always 
gives  matter  for  bringing  praise  and  thanks  to  the  Saviour. 
The  brethren  went  away,  nearly  all  the  brothers  to  their 
sugar-places.     Abraham  remained  as  watchman. 


396  zeisberger's  diary. 

Tuesday,  26.  The  three  white  people  set  out  for  Pitts- 
burg, Jeremy  going  with  them  as  far  as  Cuyahoga. 

Wednesday,  27.  From  Sandusky,  whence  Helena  came 
back,  we  learned  that  many  Indians  were  come  there  from 
the  Miami  towns,  and  many  more  were  expected,  since 
there  is  a  great  famine  there,  and  that  many  too  wish  to 
come  to  us  here,  among  them  some  who  have  been  bap- 
tized, such  as  Gertrude  and  others.  On  the  contrary, 
there  are  others  who  refuse,  and  say  they  shall  not  come 
here;  that  David  now  attracts  the  Indians  to  himself  that 
they  may  be  killed  by  the  Virginians.  Others  again  say 
that  we  yet  live  too  far  away;  if  we  were  nearer  them  they 
too  would  be  converted. 

Saturday,  March  1.  Many  of  our  brethren  came  home 
to  the  Sunday  services,  and  Br.  Edwards  delivered, 

Sunday,  2,  the  sermon  from  the  Gospel  from  the  words  : 
Gather  up  the  fragments  that  remain,  that  nothing  be  lost. 
The  brethren  were  admonished  to  take  good  care  of  the 
gifts  they  received  from  the  Saviour's  hand,  to  squander 
nothing,  and  to  make  no  needless  waste,  but  to  enjoy  them 
with  thanksgiving,  and  make  good  use  of  them,  in  order 
that  the  Saviour  might  not  withdraw  his  gifts  from  them, 
and  force  them,  after  sufi'ering  want,  to  acknowledgment 
and  gratitude.  Cold  weather  still  continued.  The  creek 
has  been  frozen  since  Christmas. 

Tuesday,  4.  Early  at  break  of  day  Esther  was  delivered 
of  a  son.     Br.  Edwards  lield  early  service. 

Thursday,  6.  At  the  early  service  the  little  son  of 
Lewis  and  Esther,  born  day  before  yesterday,  the  4th,  was 
baptized  with  the  name  !N"athaniel.  From  Pittsburg  came 
Mr.  "Wilson,  with  a  company  of  several  white  people  and 
Indians  on  their  way  to  Sandusky  and  the  Shawaiiese 
towns,  as  ambassadors  to  invite  the  nations  to  a  conven- 
tion to  be  held  at  the  Falls  of  the  Muskingum.  By  this  oc- 
casion, though  they  were  over  three  weeks  in  getting  here,  to 
our  exceptionally  hearty  joy,  comfort,  and  refreshment,  we 
had  letters  of  October  and  November  of  last  year,  likewise 
the  Scripture-verses  and  texts  for  this  year.  To-day's, 
with  which  we  began  them,  was  very  impressive  and  note- 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  397 

worthy.  It  read  :  Again  in  this  place,  which  is  desolate 
without  man  and  without  beast,  and  in  all  the  cities 
thereof,  shall  be  an  habitation  of  shepherds,  causing  their 
flocks  to  lie  down.  Who  knows  in  what  waste  and  rough 
region  of  the  world,  which  now  is  looked  upon  with  horror 
for  flesh  and  blood,  in  a  short  time,  thy  tents  shall  stand ! 
Ah  !  may  the  Saviour  bring  this  to  a  perfect  fulfilment ! 

Friday,  7.  Michael  held  early  service.  Leonard  ISTath. 
Davis'  son,  came,  with  his  wife,  visiting  here.  Mr.  "Wilson 
with  his  company  set  out  for  Sandusky. 

Saturday,  8.  A  good  number  of  brethren  was  at  home 
for  the  Sunday  services.  Edwards  held  early  service. 
Abigail,  who  emptied  her  heart  to  us,  said,  among  other 
things:  ^'■ISlow,  since  I  have  been  washed  with  the  Sa- 
viour's blood,  I  feel  that  I  am  much  worse  than  before, 
there  come  to  me  so  many  wicked  thoughts  ;  this  often  puts 
me  in  despair,  for  I  think  I  should  be  yet  better  than  I  was. 
When  I  was  still  among  the  savages  I  had  no  reason  to 
complain  about  this  ;  further  I  had  not  thought  of  it,  in 
this  way  I  had  rest',  but  now,  when  I  am  aware  of  these 
things,  my  heart  is  not  well,  I  would  like  to  be  rid  of 
them."  This  was  explained  to  her,  and  she  was  told  she 
should  not  be  anxious  and  puzzled  about  this,  for  when 
she  was  yet  a  heathen  she  was  blind  and  dead  in  sin,  had 
no  consciousness  what  sin  was,  nor  what  a  Saviour  was;  she 
had  certainly  not  been  better,  but  much  worse ;  now, 
however,  that  she  had  feeling  in  her  heart,  she  felt  her 
misery  and  depravity,  since  in  her  heart  nothing  good 
dwelt;  therewith  she  should  always  go  to  the  Saviour,  tell 
it,  and  complain  of  it  to  him,  seek  forgiveness  from  him, 
for  then  she  would  always  anew  be  comforted  and  kindly 
regarded  by  him. 

An  unbaptized  woman,  who  with  her  children  was  here 
visiting,  asked  her  son,  a  grown  and  married  man,  why  he 
did  not  go  to  the  meetings.  He  answered  :  "  It  is  not 
needful  for  me  to  go  to  the  meetings  ;  I  have  done  nothing 
bad  in  my  whole  life  ;  they  who  have  committed  many 
sins,  they  alone  need  it,  they  may  go  and  hear." 

Sunday,  9.     Br.  David  preached  about  the   sacrifice  of 


398  zeisbergek's  diary. 

Jesus  for  our  sins,  that  avails  perfectly  and  eternally,  so  that 
since  the  great  atonement-sacrifice  of  Jesus  on  the  cross 
all  offerings  end  and  cease.     Many  strangers  were  present. 
Br.  David  spoke  with  Leonard,  reminding  him  of  his  bap- 
tism and  what  the  Saviour  had  done  for  him,  and  exhort- 
ing him  to  turn  again  to  the  Saviour.     At  first  he  was  very 
timid,  but  afterwards  he  said  he  was  very  glad  Br.  David 
had  spoken  with  him,  he  would  now  think  about  it.     Jer- 
emy's second  brother,  who  came  here  to  visit  for  a  few 
days,  and  at  first  used  to  say  he  was  going  off  hunting  and 
only  wished  to  see  his  brothers  first,  plainly  spoke  out  his 
mind  and  desire  to  live  here  and  be  converted,  for  which 
he  got  leave.     Thomas,  who  is  a  friend  of  his,  had  spoken 
with  him  one  evening  and  preached  the  Saviour  to  him, 
whereafter  he  could  not  sleep  the  whole  night.    His  brother 
asked  him  what  was  the  matter  that  he  could  not  sleep. 
He  answered  he  was  thinking  much  about  what  he  had 
now  heard,  that  he  was  very  restless,  would  like  to  remain 
here,  for  he  could  not  possibly  go  away.     His  brother  re- 
plied to  him:  "Go  and  state  thy  condition  and  desire  to 
the  teachers  or  to  an  assistant,  thus  wilt  thoa  be  rid  of  this 
and  get  repose."     He  ran  now  at  midnight  about  the  town, 
but  since  everybody  was  asleep  he  could  find  nobody  but 
Boaz,  who  was  just  baptized  and  could  not  tell  him  much, 
yet  he  spoke  him  comfort  and  gave  him  courage,  so  that 
in  some  manner  he  became  quiet  until  he  could  speak  out 
his  whole  heart.     This  is  usually  the  first  step  and  period 
with  a  savage  heathen  who  is  coming  to  the  church.     He 
is  aware  of  something  extraordinary  about  him,  he  is  con- 
vinced and  moved  by  a  mighty  grace,  which  indeed  he  un- 
derstands not,  and  cannot  name,  and  knows  not  how  it 
happens  to  him,  and  whence  it  comes.     He  becomes  rest- 
less, he  runs  about  seeking  repose,  and  would  willingly  be 
rid  of  the  thing.     This  lasts  until  he  is  received,  when  for 
a  time  he  has  rest  and  is  glad  and  thankful.     When  thus 
he  comes  farther  to  baptism,  he  has  to  go  through  the  sec- 
ond period  of  a  similar  kind,  likewise  accompanied  with 
a  mighty  grace.     With  baptism  the  ice  is  broken,  the  worst 
is  over,  and  from  that  time  he  comes  quietly  to  an  evan- 


'  AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  399 

gelical,  blessed  way,  and  knows  not  exactly  how  he  comes 
thereto. 

Sunday,  10.  Edwards  held  the  early  service.  From  the 
Miami  towns  came  David  with  his  family,  by  way  of  San- 
dusky, and  with  them,  from  the  latter  place,  a  whole 
drove  of  Indians  for  a  visit. 

Thursday,  13.  By  a  Wyandot,  who  came  here  yester- 
day, on  his  own  business,  we  learned  that  the  chiefs  there 
are  still  always  of  the  mind  to  take  us  away  from  here, 
and  that  we  have  soon  to  expect  an  embassy  from  there. 
We  well  understood  what  induces  them  to  tliis,  namely, 
that  already  last  autumn  many  Indians  wanted  to  come  to 
us,  they  prevented  them,  and  would  not  let  them  come. 
Now  they  see  again  that  they  are  coming  hither  in 
stronger  number,  and  they  cannot  prevent  them.  They 
think:  "  It  is  better  we  take  them  amongst  us,  so  that  we 
may  keep  the  people  with  us,  and  we  shall  make  them 
useful  if  there  be  tributes,  for  instance,  to  contribute  wam- 
pum, if  strangers  come  hungry,  to  furnish  corn,  and  so 
farther;  then  we  have  help  in  them."  Thus  their  reasons 
are  not  so  stupid.  On  the  other  hand,  we  are  ruined  if  we 
live  near  them  or  among  them.  We  could  raise  no  cattle 
or  they  would  be  killed,  and  what  is  the  worst,  is  their 
drunkenness — for  the  sake  of  a  single  reason — were  our 
stay  to  be  thought  of  for  other  reasons,  since  it  now  seems 
that  many  Indians  wish  to  be  converted,  Satan  and  his 
servants  seek  to  put  a  stop  to  it,  to  hinder  it,  and  ruin  it. 
May  the  Lord  see  to  it,  and  do  what  is  right !  It  is  his  af- 
fair. He  will  not  suffer  to  be  cut  from  his  hands  his  in- 
heritance, won  bitterly  and  with  blood. 

Sunday,  16.  Most  of  the  brethren  were  present  at  the 
Sunday  services.  Br.  Michael  preached  about  the  Sa- 
viour's entrance  into  Jerusalem  for  his  passion.  Then  were 
the  communion  quarter-hour  and  the  congregation  meet- 
ing, which  Br.  David  held.  Among  some  strangers  was 
observed  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  to  them  their  sinful 
depravity  was  disclosed. 

Tuesday,  18.  Yesterday  and  to-day  was  speaking  to 
the  brethren.     Some  strangers  went  home,  who  wished  to 


400  zeisberger's  diary. 

persuade  others,  who  were  still  here,  to  go  with  them,  but 
these  said  they  wished  to  remain,  for  they  liked  to  hear 
the  word  of  God;  among  them  was  a  daughter  of  Boaz, 
and  her  husband,  both  unbaptized. 

Wednesday,  19.  Michael  held  early  service.  Among 
several  strangers  and  the  unbaptized  was  to  be  seen  the 
work  of  true  grace  in  their  hearts.  Jeremy's  brother, 
about  whom  mention  was  made  under  the  9th  Inst.,  kept 
up  his  longing  for  rest  and  peace  in  his  heart  continually. 
We  thought  he  would,  at  least  for  a  time,  enjoy  peace  and 
contentment  after  he  was  received,  but  no,  he  could  not 
be  content  with  that  alone,  but  he  wanted  much  to  have 
a  consecrated  heart.  He  had  come  every  day  since  to  pour 
out  his  heart,  and  to-day  he  said  that  he  knew  not  how 
to  help  himself,  nor  anywhere  to  find  advice  and  aid  on 
earth;  he  wished  to  give  himself  to  the  Saviour  and  the 
brothers,  wretched  and  full  of  sin  and  shame  as  he  was, 
whether  he  would  not,  perhaps,  be  gracious  and  merciful  to 
him,  if  not,  he  should  be  lost.  He  said  he  wanted  to  sav 
this  to  us,  and  thereby  he  wept  bitterly.  If  now  men 
wlio  do  not  believe,  and  call  all  this  enthusiasm,  saw  a 
blind,  aroused  heathen,  perhaps  they  could  by  him  be  con- 
vinced that  this  is  God's  work,  and  not  man's  doing  or  even 
boasting.  iSTo  man  with  all  his  eloquence  and  shrewdness 
could  convince  a  heathen  of  his  sinful  and  depraved  con- 
dition ;  but  this  the  simple  story  of  Jesus'  dying  upon  the 
cross  can  do,  and  hearts  are  bruised  so  that  they  know  no 
rest  and  no  counsel.  In  the  evening  the  communicants 
had  the  washing  of  feet,  after  reading  the  story.  We 
asked  absolution  from  our  dear  Lord,  and  gave  ourselves 
up  to  him  for  washing  and  cleansing  from  all  our  faults 
and  transgressions. 

Thursday,  20.  Towards  evening  was  read  the  story  of 
our  Saviour's  agony  and  bloody  sweat  on  the  Mount  of 
Olives,  which  was  listened  to  with  great  attention  and  ex- 
cited hearts.  Then  the  communicants  had  the  Lord's 
supper  on  the  night  when  he  was  betrayed.  Johannette 
was,  for  the  first  time,  a  partaker.  Elizabeth  and  Tobias 
were  candidates. 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  401 

Friday,  21.  The  communion '  liturgy  was  early  read. 
Then  was  begun  the  reading  of  this  day's  history,  which 
was  continued  during  the  day,  in  four  parts,  with  chorals 
intermingled.  By  consideration  of  all  the  suiFerings,  the 
scoffing  and  ignominy,  reproach,  bonds,  and  scourging,  and 
his  whole  tortures  from  head  to  foot,  hearts  were  mightily 
moved  and  many  tears  shed,  and  among  the  new  people 
there  was  much  commotion,  so  that  there  was  none  who 
was  not  mightily  affected,  and  some  were  quite  melted.  Of 
this  we  heard  the  evening  afterward  cheering  proof.  Of  the 
new  people  came  one  after  the  other,  for  a  long  time,  and 
till  late  in  the  night,  complaining  of  their  misery  and 
wretched  condition,  with  many  tears,  and  gave, us  to  un- 
derstand their  longing  for  the  bath  of  holy  baptism  and 
cleansing  away  of  their  sins.  Among  them  was  old  John 
Cook,  who  came  in  tears,  and  laid  before  us  his  perplexity 
about  his  wretched  state,  for  which  we  were  no  little  de- 
lighted, for  with  such  Indians,  baptized  in  religion,  it  is 
always  harder  to  come  to  acknowledgment  of  their  misery 
than  for  a  savage  heathen.  The  assistants  also  made  good 
use  of  the  time  after  all  services,  assembling  together  bap- 
tized and  unbaptized,  so  that  they  had  no  room  in  the 
house,  but  most  had  to  stand  outside  the  house  and  listen, 
and  the  assistants  spoke  with  great  earnestness,  from  the 
fulness  of  tlieir  hearts,  about  the  great  love  of  the  Saviour 
for  poor  sinners,  whom  he  has  brought  to  light  through 
his  bitter  passion  and  countless  sufferings,  so  that  the 
whole  town- was  aroused. 

Saturday,  22,  was  Qniet  Sabbath,  and  in  the  afternoon 
there  was  a  love-feast.  At  the  Scripture-verse  and  text  it 
was  mentioned  that  the  Saviour  has  sanctified  and  blessed 
both  our  night-rest  and  our  rest  in  the  grave,  so  that  we 
live  equally  with  him,  sleeping  or  awake. 

Sunday,  23.  We  assembled  early  at  daybreak,  and  after 
greeting  the  church  with  the  words:  the  Lord  is  arisen, 
we  read  a  part  of  the  Easter  liturgy  in  the  chapel,  and 
went  then  to  our  grave-yard,  and,  at  the  usual  place, 
asked  for  eternal  communion  with  those  who  had  this  year 
26 


402  zeisbekger's  diary. 

departed,  Sister  Christina  and  our  brother,  the  child 
Augustus.  Thereupon  the  story  of  the  resurrection  was 
read,  to  which  the  new  people  especially  listened  very  at- 
tentively. Br.  Edwards  preached,  and  in  the  afternoon, 
towards  evening,  after  consideration  of  the  Scripture- 
verse  :  Ah  !  Lord  God,  behold  thou  hast  made  the  heaven 
and  the  earth,  etc.,  amid  the  many  tears  both  of  the  bap- 
tized and  of  the  spectators,  by  the  bath  of  holy  baptism, 
three  were  buried  in  Jesus'  death,  namely,  the  brother  of 
Jeremy  and  Mark,  by  the  name  of  John  Martin,  Wassa- 
pahk,  Anthony,  and  Michael's  son,  who  came  here  this 
winter  from  the  Miami,  John  Thomas.  At  this  service  a 
mighty  grace  and  the  near  presence  of  the  Holy  Trinity 
were  to  be  observed. 

[So  far  this  diary  sent  to  Bethlehem.] 

Monday,  24.  David  held  early  service.  At  the  Scrip- 
ture-verse :  And  seek  the  peace  of  the  city  whither  I  have 
caused  you  to  be  carried  away  captive,  etc.,  and  the  text : 
Remember  that  Jesus  Christ  was  raised  from  the  dead,  the 
brethren  were  admonished  to  abide  by  the  word  of  Jesus' 
death  and  passion,  and  to  hold  fast  thereby,  then  also  to 
seek  the  good  of  their  fellow-men,  and  to  try  to  make 
known  to  them  the  word  of  life  on  every  occasion. 

Leonard,  who,  since  the  7th  of  this  month  and  during 
the  holidays,  has  been  here,  and  was  touched  anew,  went 
back  again  to  speak  with  his  aged  parents,  whom  he 
wanted  much  to  bring  here  with  him,  and  will  come  for 
good  at  planting-time.  He  was  told  to  behave  well,  for 
which  he  had  the  demand  in  his  heart;  he  was  told  to  seek 
the  church  again  and  rescue  his  soul  while  there  was  yet 
time. 

Tuesday,  25.  David  held  early  service.  At  the  text: 
For  as  much  then  as  the  children  are  partakers  of  flesh 
and  blood,  he  also  himself  likewise  took  part  of  the  same, 
etc.,  the  brethren  were  brought  to  remember  to-day  as  a 
mighty  day  (Annunciation),  wherein  young  and  old  of 
either  sex  have  great  share,  since  his  incarnation,  his  whole 
life  and  walk  in  the  world,  even  to  the  cross,  the  grave, 
and  the  resurrection,  are  for  us,  of  which  we  should  make 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  403 

good  use,  to  become  sharers  in  tllat  which  he  thereby  has 
acquired  for  us.  Finally  we  thanked  him  upon  our  knees 
for  his  incarnation,  passion,  and  death,  and  asked  him  to 
make  that  always  plainer  to  us  through  his  spirit.  The 
brethren  were  then  dismissed,  since  for  a  week  now  they 
have  been  interrupted  in  their  sugar-making,  and  have  left 
much  undone,  the  brothers  to  their  spring  hunt  and  the 
sisters  to  sugar-boiling. 

Friday,  28.  John  Cook,  who  wishes  to  find  his  son 
somewhere  near  the  Fort  and  to  bring  him  here,  on  which 
account  he  planned  a  journey,  came  and  begged  us  to  think 
of  him,  that  the  Saviour  might  watch  over  him  and  bring 
him  successfully  here  again,  which  we  promised  him,  but 
bade  him  also  not  forget  the  Saviour  and  to  call  upon  him, 
who  would  again  help  him  hither.  Both  yesterday  and  to- 
day came  some  of  the  new  people  to  tell  their  hearts,  to 
complain  of  their  unholy  state,  and  they  showed  their 
longing  for  the  forgiveness  of  their  sins.  Thomas'  brother- 
in-law  and  sister,  who  have  been  here  visiting  for  several 
days,  went  home.  They  both  said  they  wanted  to  come 
again  soon,  they  liked  to  hear  about  the  Saviour.  They 
went  liunting,  and  said  they  would  straightway  come  here 
and  not  to  the  savage  towns. 

Sunday,  30.  Michael  gave  the  sermon,  to  which  only  a 
very  few  came  from  the  bush,  on  account  of  their  neces- 
sary labor  in  sugar-making,  which  must  be  attended  to, 
for  they  have  to  arrange  according  to  the  weather  and 
observe  the  time.  In  the  second  service  we  thought  of 
those  baptized  daring  the  year,  seven  brethren,  commend- 
ing them  to  the  care  of  the  Saviour  and  of  God,  the 
worthy  Holy  Ghost,  to  let  them  grow  and  thrive  in  the 
church,  and  to  increase  in  love  and  gratitude,  to  his  honor 
and  joy. 

Tuesday,  April  1.  Almost  all  went  off  hunting,  so  that 
only  some  old  people  were  at  home. 

Thursday,  3.  John  Martin,  who,  with  his  brother,  Mark, 
went  hunting  a  few  days  ago,  came  home.  The  former 
said  he  could  not  remain  away  so  long  as  he  had  thought, 
for  he  was  anxious,  fearing  he  should  lose  the  blessed  feel- 


404  zeisberger's  diary. 

ing  and  his  joy  in  the  Saviour,  but  was  heartily  thankful 
that  he  had  kept  him  blessed.  Two  Mingoes  came  here 
from  Sandusky,  with  a  white  man  yet  to  come,  on  their  way 
to  Pittsburg. 

Friday,  4.  Mr.  Wilson  came  here  from  Sandusky  with 
John  Nicholas ;  he  went, 

Saturday,  5,  away  to  Pittsburg,  by  whom  we  sent  letters 
and  diaries  ;  the  other  went  back  to  Sandusky  to  await  the 
resolution  of  the  nations  about  the  treatv.  We  had  the 
lirst  thunder,  with  heavy  rain.  Phoebe  and  her  husband 
came  here. 

Sunday,  6.  Some  brethren  came  to  the  sermon,  which 
Br.  David  delivered.  Br.  Edwards  held  the  congregation 
meeting. 

Tuesday,  8.     David  held  morning  service  in  Indian. 

Wednesday,  9.  David  held  morning  service  in  Indian. 
From  Sandusky  came  Boaz's  brother  and  sister  for  a  visit. 
He  said  he,  too,  would  like  to  be  converted  and  live  like 
the  believers.  One  of  his  sisters  was  born  in  the  church 
in  Languntouteniink,  but  not  baptized,  her  mother  not 
being  baptized.  The  people  are  now  always  dissuaded  and 
forbidden  to  come  to  us,  and  the  more  eager  they  are  to 
come  hither  to  see  and  hear;  the  more  they  forbid,  the 
worse  it  becomes.  What  then  drives  these  people  to  us? 
Certainly  not  men,  for  they  seek  to  hinder  it.  This  is  the 
work  of  God  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  bring  to  the  Saviour 
the  souls  that  have  cost  him  so  much,  and  to  make  them 
partakers  of  the  blessedness  he  has  won  for  them. 

Saturday,  12.  Michael  held  early  service.  Our  people 
all  came  home  from  their  sugar-huts  and  from  hunting. 
Boaz's  brother  went  away,  saying  if  he  came  home  again 
from  hunting  he  wished  to  come  here  to  stay.  A  Mingo 
Mohawk,  who  has  a  sister,  also  wishes  to  live  here. 

Sunday,  13.  Br.  Edwards  preached.  In  the  afternoon 
the  little  son  of  Renatus  and  A.  Regina  was  baptized  with 
the  name  Augustus. 

Tuesday,  15.  Edwards  held  early  service.  A  party  of 
Indians,  which  has  encamped  here  two  days  and  also  vis- 
ited our  meetings,  went  upon  their  hunt.     Some  thought 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788,  405 

and  suspected  they  were  going  to  war.  With  the  party 
went  Mary  Magdalene,  a  grown  girl,  secretly  away. 

Wednesday,  16,  David  held  early  service.  The  Indian, 
David,  who  some  time  ago  came  here  from  the  Miami,  ex- 
pressed his  wish  now  again  to  stay  in  the  church  with  his 
family  of  six  persons,  and  was  received.  Phoebe,  formerly 
a  single  woman  in  the  church,  brought  here  on  the  5th 
Inst,  her  husband,  a  savage,  who  begged  permission  with 
his  wife  to  live  here  with  us,  and  was  also  received.  The 
Indian  brethren  set  about  fence-making.  On  account  of 
the  new-comers  we  must  fence  in  two  new  fields. 

Friday,  18,  The  brethren  were  done  with  making  fences 
about  the  lowest  field  on  the  creek.  It  became  necessary 
from  the  lay  of  the  land  that  we  should  include  within  the 
fence  two  Chippewa  fields  which  our  brethren  planted  last 
year  and  wished  to  plant  again  this  year,  for  otherwise  it 
would  have  doubled  the  work,  and  since  also  we  wished 
to  have  friendship  with  them  we  were  glad  to  include 
their  fields  in  our  fence ;  also  on  account  of  our  cattle, 
which  might  do  them  damage,  for  which  they  were  glad 
and  thankful,  and  considered  this  as  an  act  of  friendship. 

Saturday,  19.  David  held  morning  service.  The  Indian 
brethren  went  in  common  hunting,  and  brought  home  four 
deer,  woodcock,  and  other  game,  for  their  work  of  fencing. 

Sunday,  20.  David  preached  about  the  promise  of  the  Sa- 
viour to  send  to  us  the  Comforter,  who  punished  the  people 
of  the  world  for  their  unbelief  that  they  did  not  let  them- 
selves be  sharers  in  righteousness  through  Jesus'  blood, 
and  that  they  wished  to  remain  yet  longer  under  the 
power  of  the  princes  of  this  world,  whose  power  the 
Saviour  has  destroyed,  redeeming  us  with  his  blood.  In 
the  afternoon  the  little  daughter  of  David  and  Salome, 
born  on  the  Miami,  was  baptized,  receiving  the  name  Au- 
gustine in  holy  baptism.  We  learn,  to  our  joy,  that  we 
shall  win  for  the  Saviour  still  more  of  the  Indians  who 
settled  below  us  last  year  after  our  arrival  and  planted.  A 
family,  our  Abigail's  sister,  who,  since  we  have  been  here, 
has  wished  to  hear  nothing  about  the  Saviour,  nor  has  she 
come  to  our  meetings,  said  that  she  did  not  wish  to  go 


406  zeisberger's  diary. 

with  the  devil  into  everlasting  fire,  as  she  had  heard  all 
unbelievers  would  do.  She  has  already  twice  come  to  hear 
about  the  Saviour,  and  wishes  now  to  be  converted. 

Monday,  21,  Edwards  held  early  service.  The  brethren 
resumed  fence-making ;  some  sisters  went  to  Sandusky. 

Tuesday,  22.  During  a  service  for  the  baptized  breth- 
ren, the  widower,  Andrew,  and  A.  Salome,  a  single  per- 
son, were  married.  On  this  occasion  information  was 
given  to  both  old  and  young  how  they  were  to  conduct 
and  behave  themselves  in  the  church,  if  they  live  for  the 
Saviour  and  wish  to  show  themselves  children  of  G-od. 
Many  new  people  being  with  us,  such  an  exhortation  was 
needful. 

Wednesday,  23.  The  brethren  were  done  with  fencing. 
They  have  fenced  in  four  fields.  There  is  also  a  good 
piece  of  land  left  for  strangers  who  may,  perhaps,  yet  come 
here  this  spring.  White  people  from  Detroit,  Connolly's^ 
son,  came  here  on  their  way  to  Pittsburg.  His  father  is 
commandant  there. 

Friday,  25.  Michael  held  early  service.  Sisters  came 
back  from  Sandusky,  where  they  got  corn.  We  heard 
that  some  of  our  Indians,  ISTathaniel,  Lydia,  and  others, 
were  on  their  way  hither. 

Sunday,  27.  Michael  preached  and  Edwards  held  the 
afternoon  service.  In  the  service  for  the  baptized,  An- 
thony, a  single  man,  and  the  single  woman,  Esther  Amelia, 
Cornelius'  daughter,  were  married. 

Monday,  28.  David  held  early  service.  Samuel  went 
to  Sandusky  to  speak  with  his  brother,  of  whom  for  a  long 
time  he  had  always  been  hearing  that  he  wished  to  come 
to  us,  but  had  trouble  and  opposition  from  the  chiefs,  who 
did  not  want  to  let  him  go.  He  had  been  with  us  over 
the  lake,  and  wished  even  then  to  stay  with  us,  but  could 
not  efi'ect  it  for  the  same  reason.  Several  other  brethren 
went  there  to  get  corn,  among  them  Boaz,  whom  the  spirit 
of  bearing  witness  forces  to  preach  the  Saviour  to  his 

^The  well-known  Dr.  John  Connolly,  Lord  Dunmore's  agent.     He 
had  been  in  command  at  Pittsburg  in  1774. 


AT   NEW   SALEM,   1788.  407 

friends,  especially  to  his  mother,  and  to  the  Indians.  He 
becomes  very  sad  upon  seeing  that  they  do  not  receive  his 
words,  but  whenever  he  meets  a  strange  Indian,  to  him  he 
announces  the  Saviour  and  the  blessedness  he  has  won. 
Though  he  does  not  always  hit  the  mark,  and  is  not  prac- 
tical, yet  it  is  much  better  and  more  pleasing  to  us  than 
if  he  listened  to  the  foolish  chattering  of  the  savages  or 
even  applauded  them. 

Wednesday,  30.  Samuel  returned  from  Sandusky, 
where  he  spoke  his  mind  to  his  brother  and  friends,  es- 
pecially to  the  former,  who,  already  over  the  lake  wished 
to  be  with  us,  but  it  is  the  same  with  him  now  as  it  was 
then,  namely,  he  cannot  get  free.  He  is  a  counsellor,  much 
looked  up  to  and  depended  on.  Samuel  spoke  his  mind 
to  them  that  he  should  live  and  die  in  the  church  ;  he 
wished  to  see  them  and  speak  with  them  once  more,  since 
they  were  so  near,  but  now  that  they  were  moving  farther 
away  he  would  perhaps  not  see  them  for  a  long  time,  pos- 
sibly never  again,  and  if  any  one  of  them  wanted  to  see 
hini  he  must  come  to  him;  he  remained  by  the  words  of 
everlasting  life  and  blessedness  until  he  should  depart  from 
this  world  ;  he  would  be  glad,  indeed,  if  they  would  share 
therein  to  be  eternally  blessed,  but  if  they  wished  it  not 
he  must  let  them  go  their  own  way,  but  he  had  wished  to 
tell  them  this.  His  brother  answered  that  he  had  nothing  to 
say  in  reply ;  he  believed  that  to  be  the  right  thing  and  the 
way  to  be  saved, but  for  the  time  being  he  could  not;  he 
should  hold  him  dear,  and  let  him  know  if  any  thing  dan- 
,  gerous  were  afoot  which  concerned  us  ;  we  could  plant 
quietly  this  spring  ;  before  the  year  was  over  matters  would 
be  clear  and  circumstances  would  have  come  to  some  de- 
termination. 

We  learned  now  the  true  state  of  the  nations,  how  they 
are  disposed.  All  nations  at  the  last  conference  upon 
the  Miami  agreed  upon  peace  with  the  States,  except  a 
part  of  the  Wyandots  in  Lower  Sandusky,  of  whom 
fifteen  men  survive  the  small-pox  sickness.  They  are  ill- 
disposed,  and  wish  to  have  revenge  upon  the  white  people 
for  having  lost  so  many  people  by  the  small-pox.     Then  a 


408  zeisberger's  diary. 

partpf  the  Shawanese  do  not  wish  to  acquiesce,  of  whom 
there  are  said  to  be  twenty  odd.  They  made  the  proviso, 
however,  that  if  all  did  not  wish  for  peace,  those  who  did 
wish  for  peace  should  all  go  over  the  lake,  but  those  who 
wished  to  have  war  should  remain  there  and  fight  out  the 
matter  alone,  and  not  come  among  the  others,  for  they 
wished  to  tell  the  States  to  consider  all  Indians  this  side 
the  lake  as  foes,  with  whom  they  should  now  settle  their 
affairs.  They  wished  to  come  together  again  this  spring 
and  speak  farther  of  this. 

Thursday,  May  1.  Br.  Edwards  preached.  In  a  sep- 
arate service  it  was  impressed  upon  the  hearts  of  the  bap- 
tized brethren  that  the. daily  and  constant  walk  with  the 
Saviour,  whom  we  cannot  indeed  see,  but  in  whom  we  be- 
lieve and  whom  we  love,  disposed  us  in  faith  to  believe  in 
him,  to  cling  to  him,  the  Vine,  even  to  beholding  what  we 
have  believed.  "We  adored  him,  and  asked  from  him  our 
steady  abiding  with  him  from  need  and  from  love. 

Saturday,  3.  There  came  two  Mingo  families  here,  and 
remained  over  night,  with  wives  and  children,  and  when 
they  heard  that  to-morrow  would  be  Sunday,  they  resolved 
to  stay  here  over  Sunday,  and  wished  to  hear  a  sermon ; 
from  their  talk  we  gathered  they  had  been  baptized  by  a 
French  priest.  By  occasion  of  their  saying  that  a  certain 
time  every  year  they  had  to  scourge  themselves  to  atone 
for  their  sins,  our  Indians  said  that  was  a  hard  service  to 
have  to  torture  themselves  in  vain.  Among  them  was  one, 
Joseph  Brant's  Longus,  from  whom  we  learned  also  that  the 
Six  Nations  were  much  inclined  to  peace,  and  were  labor- 
ing to  bring  it  about. 

Sunday,  4.  David  preached  and  then  held  the  commun- 
ion quarter-hour.  From  the  Miami  towns  came  Lea,  Su- 
sanna's sister,  and  Lydia,  Gabriel's  wife,  both  sick,  the 
latter  with  two  children,  by  way  of  the  Sandusky,  also 
Jacobina,  with  her  present  husband,  a  savage,  all  to  re- 
main. Several  of  our  baptized  and  some  savage  Indians 
will  also  come  here,  but  are  waiting  to  see  if  there  will  be 
peace.   It  is  well,  however,  that  something  always  occurs  to 


AT   NEW    SALEM,    1788.  409 

hold  them  back,  that  the  concourse  may  not  be  too  great, 
and  we  can  remain  in  good  order. 

Monday,  5.  Michael  held  early  service.  Boaz'  mother, 
Ackerlemanu,  who  came  here  yesterday  from  Sandusky, 
and  asked  reception,  received  permission  therefor.  She 
came  here  a  year  ago  with  her  son  and  wished  for  his  con- 
version, he  was  such  a  bad  man.  He  remained  here,  but 
she  did  not  yet  deem  it  needful,  and  went  away,  but  yet 
had  no  peace,  and  was  scoffed  at  by  the  savages  as  a 
Sunday-Indian,  since  her  son  was  here.  They  said  she 
would  also  yet  come  to  us.  When  now  her  son,  Boaz, 
went  there,  a  few  days  ago,  she  resolved  to  come  with  him 
to  us,  and  said  :  "  The  Indians  named  me  from  sport  a 
Sunday-Indian,  though  I  was  not  one,  but  now  I  will 
make  it  true,  and  become  a  believer."  Also  Lydia  with  her 
two  children  was  received. 

Wednesday,  7.  Many  strangers  came  here  visiting, 
among  whom  was  one  Packanke's^  son,  who  called  our  In- 
dians happy,  saying  they  had  a  pleasant  life  together;  this 
was  not  elsewhere  to  be  found,  only  with  us.  On  the  other 
hand,  at  times  some  come  here,  who  seek  to  cause  trouble. 

Friday,  9.  David  came  from  Sandusky,  where  he  got 
corn.  He  met  there  his  two  brothers  from  the  Miami,  one 
of  whom  came  here  with  him,  who  did  not  wish  to  go  back 
to  his  mother,  a  baptized  woman.  She  sent  word  to  Da- 
vid he  should  hasten  back  to  her,  and  not  go  to  the  be- 
lievers, for  they  would  all  be  killed  by  the  Virginians, 
which  is  the  common  saying  everywhere  among  the  In- 
dians, and  yet  they  all  come  here  to  us  and  have  no  fear. 
Thereupon  he  sent  word  to  her  that  if  he  had  heard  she 
was  in  trouble  and  wanted  to  come  to  the  brothers  and 
knew  not  how  to  proceed,  he  should  have  arisen  at  once 
and  have  brought  her  with  horses,  but  since  he  heard  this 
other  from  her,  he  could  not  go,  he  would  go  sometime  to 
get  his  things  when  it  should  be  convenient.     Gertrude 

^  Packanke  was  head-chief  of  the  Monsey  tribe  of  Delawares,  at  first 
very  friendly  to  the  missionaries.  He  was  probably  never  converted, 
but  recommended  his  children  to  receive  the  Gospel.  Drake's  Book 
of  Indians,  V.  25. 


410  zeisberger's  diary. 

and  several  Indians  in  Sandusky  would  also  like  to  come 
to  Us,  to  whom  tlie  Monsey  captain,  Titawaclikam,  says 
they  shall  not,  and  prevents  them,  saying  he  wishes  soon 
to  invite  one  of  our  teachers  thither,  to  preach  to  them, 
when  they  will  all  become  believers.  This  is  the  old  story, 
which  we  know  and  have  long  understood.  When  the 
chiefs  and  head  people  see  that  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel 
finds  too  great  acceptance,  and  that  they  cannot  hinder  it  and 
hold  back  the  Indians  with  the  lies  they  invent,  then  they 
wish  themselves  to  invite  a  teacher,  saying  they  also  desire 
to  become  believers,  that  the  Indians  may  not  run  away 
from  them.  Yesterday  and  to-day  there  was  speaking 
with  the  brethren.     We  had  then, 

Saturday,  10,  the  holy  communion,  to  which  were  read- 
mitted old  Beata,  A.  Paulina,  the  white  Helen,  and  Rena- 
tus.  Tscholens,  Luke's  daughter's  husband,  and  Lea, 
Susanna's  sister,  got  leave  to  live  here. 

Sunday,  11.  The  communion  liturgy  was  early  read, 
and  then  Br.  Michael  pres^hed  about  the  office  and  labor 
of  God,  the  Holy  Ghost,  among  mankind,  especially  in 
bringing  them  to  Jesus  Christ,  their  Redeemer  and  Saviour. 
About  this  subject  in  the  service  for  the  baptized  yet  more 
was  said  to  them,  and  plainly.  They  were  told  it  had  es- 
pecially to  them  been  given  to  understand  the  work  and 
care  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  hearts  of  believers,  for  they 
had  received  him  and  he  dwelt  in  them ;  to  them  it  had 
also  been  given  to  hear  his  voice  ;  now  it  was  required  of 
them  to  show  obedience  and  fealty,  thus  would  he  main- 
tain them  in  Jesus  Christ  in  the  right  and  only  faith  to  the 
end,  always  giving  them  the  assurance  that  they  were  the 
children  of  God  and  the  possession  of  Jesus,  that  he  and 
his  Father  loved  them,  for  they  had  cost  him  his  blood. 
We  thanked  him  with  humble  hearts  for  all  the  grace  and 
truth  he  had  shown  us,  begged  him  further  to  stand  by  us ; 
we  asked  also  absolution  for  our  negligence  and  omissions, 
and  that  often  we  had  not  regarded  his  voice  and  admoni- 
tions, and  vowed  to  him  anew  fealty  and  obedience.  We 
got  from  him  the  comfort  and  the  assurance  in  our  hearts 
that  he  will  do  this  in  us. 


AT   NEW    SALEM,   1788.  411 

In  the  concluding  service  young  Abraham  was  taken 
into  the  church,  and  one  was  baptized  with  the  name, 
Moses. 

Tuesday,  13.  Difi'erent  brothers  went  out  hunting  and 
the  sisters  planting. 

Thursday,  15.  Mr.  Wilson  came  here  from  Sandusky, 
bringing  us  letters  of  December,  February,  and  March 
from  Bethlehem  and  Litiz.  We  learned  at  the  same  time 
that  in  a  few  days  the  nations  would  hold  a  convention 
near  Stony  Point  (Monroe  Co.,  Mich.),  to  which  also  Mr. 
Wilson  was  going,  from  which  place  they  would  at  once 
break  up  and  go  to  the  treaty  on  the  Muskingum. 

Saturday,  17.  Michael  held  early  service.  From  Detroit 
two  white  people  came,  whom  William, 

Sunday,  18,  accompanied  to  Cuyahoga,  for  as  yet  there 
is  no  regular  road,  but  our  Indians  steer  from  here  through 
the  bush.  Br.  David  preached  from  the  Gospel  about 
Mcodemus  and  the  Holy  Trinity,  that  all  three  Persons 
have  contributed  to  the  redemption  of  the  human  race, 
and  through  our  Helper  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ,  have 
brought  it  about  and  accomplished  it. 

A  savage,  proud  Indian,  more  than  a  week  ago,  came 
here  from  his  hunting  lodge,  more  than  two  days'  journey 
away,  and  had  remained  several  days,  in  which  time  he 
came  also  to  Br.  David,  who  asked  him  whence  he  was  and 
came.  This  he  told,  and  said  he  would  like  to  hear  some- 
thing about  the  Saviour,  for  he  had  once  already  heard 
something.  Br.  David  talked  with  him,  and  told  him  it 
was  well  and  needful  that  he  thought  about  being  happy 
here  in  time  and  there  eternally;  if  this  was  his  mind  and 
wish,  the  Saviour  would  help  him  thereto  and  give  him 
power,  who  had  won  it  for  us  by  his  blood,  which  he  had 
poured  out  for  our  sins,  dying  for  us,  and  so  on.  He 
listened  thoughtfully,  and  went  back  again  to  his  hunting- 
lodge  quite  still.  Two  days  ago  he  came  again  with  all  he 
had  gained  hunting,  omitted  no  service,  and  it  could  be 
seen  that  he  was  not  without  reflection,  but  he  said  nothing, 
and  was  on  his  guard,  and  wished  to  drive  away  his  unrest. 
To-day  he  came  to  Br.  David  in  full  heathenish  state,  hung 


412  zbisoerger's  diary. 

with  silver  and  wampum,  sat  by  him,  placing  his  storm- 
cap,  which  was  decked  with  all  sorts  of  feathers  and  rib- 
bons, straightway  at  his  feet,  which  is  not  usual  with  a  sav- 
age, and  sat  awhile  quite  still.  He  then  said  he  came  not 
only  for  thus  much,  but  wishing  to  tell  him  he  should  also 
like  to  live  with  us,  if  he  should  be  allowed,  giving  at  the 
same  time  the  reasons  why,  namely,  he  found  no  place 
where  he  could  be  well,  let  him  think  of  any  part  of  the 
world  he  would,  but  here  with  us  he  believed  he  had  found 
it ;  he  wished  to  conceal  nothing,  but  to  say  outright  that 
he  was  a  bad  man,  had  led  a  sinful,  wicked  life,  had  been 
nine  times  in  war,  had  killed  also  five  white  people,  and  so 
farther ;  since  he  had  been  here  before,  however,  in  his 
hunting-lodge  he  had  thought  over  what  he  had  heard  here, 
and  had  felt  a  strong  impulse  to  come  hither.  Br.  David 
asked  him  whether  he  had  already  conversed  with  any  one 
of  our  assistants  about  this;  he  said,  no.  Then  he  said 
they  would  call  him,  and  he  could  tell  them  his  desire  and 
longing.  "  Indeed,"  said  he,  "  I  do  not  know  how  or  what 
I  shall  speak,"  for  many  think  it  must  be  done  in  a  formal 
speech,  upon  which  the  answer  follows.  Br.  David  said 
to  him  we  did  not  require  many  words  from  him,  but  this 
alone,  whether  he  wanted  to  live  here  for  this  reason,  that 
he  wished  to  be  saved  and  live  for  the  Saviour,  renouncing 
his  heathenish  life  and  being.  He  went  away,  but  was  full 
of  restlessness,  came  again,  and  had  no  peace  until  it  hap- 
pened, and  thus,  the  evening  after,  he  was  received,  to  his 
great  comfort.  The  next  morning  at  the  early  service  he 
appeared  like  another  man,  for  he  had  cast  aside  all  his 
heathenish  state. 

Tuesday,  20.  Edwards  held  early  service.  The  breth- 
ren planted  our  field  to-day. 

Wednesday,  21.  Four  white  people  came  here  from 
Pittsburg,  on  their  way  to  Detroit,  and  stayed  here  a 
couple  of  days,  and  towards  evening  one,  Hamilton,  from 
the  same  place,  with  flour  and  salt. 

Thursday,  22.  An  Indian  came  from  the  Fort  with 
strong  drink,  and  encamped  near  by.  We  tried  in  vain  to 
get  him  into  town  and  to  take  care  of  his  strong  drink, 


AT   NEW    SALEM,    1788.  413 

yet  he  promised  to  give  no  one  any  of  it;  meantime  we 
kept  good  watch,  for  it  made  us  uneasy  and  concerned,  and 
one  had  to  be  bound. 

Friday,  23.  White  people  came  through  here  from 
Pittsburg  with  cattle  for  Detroit,  from  whom  our  In- 
dians bought  a  few  head.  On  the  24th  they  went  on  far- 
ther, for  Sandusky. 

Sunday,  25.  David  preached.  Some  white  people, 
among  them  two  officers,  came  in  and  went  to  Detroit. 

Wednesday,  28.  Hamilton  went  back  to  the  Fort. 
David  held  early  service.  In  the  evening  Wittiger  came 
from  Sandusky  with  a  prisoner  who  had  been  condemned 
by  the  Shawanese  to  be  burnt,  but  whom  the  traders  had 
ransomed,  and  now  he  was  on  his  way  to  the  Fort. 

Thursday,  29.  Edwards  held  early  service.  An  In- 
dian with  his  wife,  John  Martin  and  Mark  Longus,  who  a 
few  days  before  had  come  out  of  the  bush,  at  their  request 
got  leave  to  live  here.  Now  there  are  four  from  this  fam- 
ily with  us.  Jeremy  having  made  the  beginning.  Our 
people  were  very  busy  planting,  since  for  several  days  the 
weather  has  been  dry.  This  year  the  spring  is  late  on  ac- 
count of  much  rain,  and  therefore  they  have  been  much 
hindered  in  planting.  We  learn  that  the  Indians  begin  to 
assemble  over  the  lake  for  the  convention. 

Saturday,  31.  Jacob  and  his  company  came  home  from 
hunting,  after  being  gone  more  than  two  months,  but  they 
had  little  or  no  success. 

Sunday,  June  1.  Br.  David  preached  about  the  great 
feast.  A  young  man,  Gischikelema,  who  hitely  came  here 
to  live,  and  who  promised  to  behave  according  to  our 
rules,  and  kept  not  his  promise,  was  informed  by  the  as- 
sistants he  must  leave  our  place. 

Monday,  2.  Michael  held  early  service.  Then  the  as- 
sistants had  to  speak  with  Jeremy  and  Weskochk.  We 
had  for  some  time  been  thinking  of  increasing  the  number 
of  assistants,  and  had  considered  together  about  it,  but 
our  plans  then  came  to  nothing,  Some  days  ago 
we  spoke  with  our  assistants  also  about  it,  and  found  them 
of  the  same  mind  with  ourselves,  proposing  the  same  per- 


414  zeisberger's  diary. 

sons.  Two  days  since,  the  Saviour  approved  the  two  breth- 
ren, Luke  and  Stephen,  to  be  chosen  as  assistants.  The 
former  had  before,  in  Schonbrunn,  been  among  the  num- 
ber. Among  the  sisters,  however,  we  found  none,  and  yet 
we  need  them  much,  having  only  two,  namely,  Bathsheba 
and  Sara  Nanticoke.  We  held  this  evening  a  pleasant 
love-feast  with  them,  seven  brothers  and  two  sisters,  at 
which  they  were  told  what  their  office  and  business  were 
in  the  church,  namely,  to  be  watchers,  to  prevent  trouble 
where  they  could,  thereby  to  follow  a  good  course,  and  to 
go  before  the  brethren  with  a  good  example,  to  love  one 
another,  and  to  agree  in  mind  and  heart,  which  would  be 
their  force  that  they  would  accomplish  great  things. 

Tuesday,  3.  David  held  early  service  from  the  Script- 
ure-verse :  For  I,  saith  the  Lord,  will  be  unto  her  a  wall  of 
fire  round  about.  Since  we  heard  that  our  cattle  had 
done  much  damage  in  the  fields  of  the  Chippewas  in  our 
neighborhood,  and  we  saw  that  through  the  whole  summer 
we  should  have  trouble  in  this  way,  for  among  Indians  the 
rule  is  that  if  cattle  do  harm  in  their  fields,  the  damage 
must  be  made  good  or  they  shoot  the  cattle  dead — quite 
without  reason,  for  there  is  no  fence  about  their  fields — we 
wanted  to  have  peace,  so  we  had  to  give  them  seed-corn  to 
plant  again  and  make  them  a  good  fence,  which  was  done 
to-day  and  the  following  days.  An  Lidian  with  his  wife, 
who  are  mentioned  under  May  29th,  were  advised  to  go 
away  from  us,  for  since  they  have  been  here  they  have  quar- 
relled together,  and  the  woman  left  him. 

Wednesday,  4.  Edwards  held  early  service.  We  pro- 
posed to  the  assistants  a  formal  speech  at  the  treaty  on 
the  Muskingum,  to  be  delivered  to  the  chiefs,  which  we 
gave  into  their  hands  and  explained  the  matter;  this 
had  their  approval  and  was  better  received  than  we  ex- 
pected, since  our  Indians  for  several  years  have  been  so 
disposed  towards  the  Indian  chiefs  as  not  to  wish  to  have 
any  thing  to  do  with  them.  Tboy  have  done,  however, 
according  to  our  wish,  and  perhaps  we  shall  again  come  to 
friendly  intercourse  with  them,  if  we  remind  them  of  the 


AT   NEW   SALEM,    1788.  •         415 

old  friendship  and  renew  it,  for  many  of  the  former  chiefs 
are  still  alive. 

Thursday,  5.  David  held  early  service.  Thereupon  A. 
Salome,  on  account  of  her  extraordinarily  wickfed  conduct 
and  adultery  committed,  the  like  of  which  was  never  he- 
fore  in  the.  church,  was  put  out  of  the  church,  who  went 
away  also  to-day,  for  she  should  stay  here  not  a  night 
longer. 

Saturday,  7.  Two  French  traders  came  here  by  water 
with  corn  and  flour,  all  of  which  our  Indians  bought,  and 
went  away  again.  Susanna  (Zeisberger)  went  to  bed  again 
sick. 

Sunday,  8.  Br.  ^lichael  preached  from  the  Gospel  about 
the  lost  sheep,  and  then  was  the  service  for  the  baptized 
brethren.  The  congregation  meeting  had  to  be  omitted 
ou  account  of  heavy  rain  and  thunder.  Then  came 
through  here  again  drovers  with  a  great  herd.  Two  Min- 
goes  came  from  Pittsburg  with  rum.  We  lodged  them 
and  took  their  rum  for  safe-keeping  until  they  went  away, 
and  we  accompanied  them  beyond  our  bounds  with  a 
guard.  JsTotwithstanding  all  our  care,  it  did  not  get  ofi' 
untouched,  for  Chippewas  watched  for  it,  followed  after 
them  when  they  were  gone,  and  also  two  from  here,  who 
afterwards  came  to  town  drunk. 

Monday,  9.  Edwards  held  early  service.  Some  went 
to  Sandusky  to  get  corn,  and, 

Tuesday,  10,  Adolphus  went  with  his  family  to  San- 
dusky to  get  corn,  and  he  took  A.  Salome  there  to  her 
mother,  for  she  could  not  be  here.  By  Sabina's  brother 
we  learn  that  six  Delawares  who  went  to  war  died  in  it. 
Br.  Michael  Jung,  with  three  Indian  brethren,  Adam, 
Tobias,  and  John  Martin,  went  to  the  Fort  to  get  some 
necessities  for  us.  We  have  had  for  some  days  now  trouble 
and  vexation  with  Gischikelema,  who  is  here  only  to  cor- 
rupt our  young  people.  We  had  him  sent  away,  but  he 
went  not,  and  we  were  obliged  to  keep  a  watch  in  the 
night  to  oppose  the  evil.  If  we  receive  new  people  we 
have  trouble  and  labor  to  expect.  They  come  and  force 
themselves  upon  the  church,  and  as  we  do  not  know  the 


416  zeisberger's  diary. 

people,  we  do  not  like  to  reject  them,  but  make  trial  of 
them.  They  promise  also  to  behave  according  to  all  our 
rules,  but  when  they  have  become  established,  then  some 
begin  to  live  their  heathenish  life  in  the  church,  make  us 
anxiety  and  vexation,  and  we  cannot  get  rid  of  them,  so 
that  we  have  enough  to  do  to  oppose  the  wicked  spirit 
that  is  in  them. 

"Wednesday,  11.  There  came  again  white  people,  mostly 
Germans,  with  cattle,  on  their  way  to  Detroit.  Our  people 
again  bought  some  from  them,  so  that  our  Indians  have 
this  summer  easily  and  cheaply  acquired  cattle,  of  which 
there  is  now  a  great  herd. 

Friday,  13.  The  assistants'  conference  reconciled  Jere- 
mv  and  Weskochk. 

Saturday,  14.  Boaz'  Andrew  went  to  Sandusky.  Ed- 
wards held  early  service.  John  Thomas,  who  went  with 
Br.  Michael  to  the  Fort,  turned  about  not  far  from  Cuya- 
hoga with  a  cow  the  drovers  had  left  behind,  and  given  to 
whoever  of  our  Indians  should  find  her,  and  brought  her 
here.  Helena  came  from  Sandusky.  We  learn  that  a 
young  Mingo,  Jonathan,  baptized  hy  us,  died  there.  About 
a  week  ago  his  mother  sent  us  word  we  should  get  him 
here.  He  said  to  a  sister  that  he  was  not  to  blame  for 
having  to  die  among  the  savages ;  a  year  ago  he  wished  to 
come  to  us,  but  his  mother  had  not  permitted  him. 

Sunday,  15.  David  preached  and  held  the  quarter-hour 
for  the  baptized.  McKee's  brother  came  back  from  De- 
troit.    No  Indians  had  gone  to  the  treaty  upon  the  Miami. 

Moudav,  16.  John  Cook  came  from  the  Fort  with  a 
white  man  and  Chippewa  Indians.  He  came  not  as  he 
had  gone,  and  has  indeed  lost  his  belief,  for  he  brought 
liquor  with  him,  but  this  he  left  behind.  Also,  Helena's 
son,  Francis,  came,  with  his  family,  from  the  winter  and 
spring  hunting.     David  held  early  service. 

Wednesday,  18.  Many  strangers  came  here,  who  attend 
the  meetings,  but  both  among  them  and  also  among  those 
who  are  already  come  to  us,  little  earnestness  is  to  be  seen 
for  conversion,  and  it  is  as.  if  they  were  not  the  right 
people ;  meanwhile  we  have  patience  with  them  and  wait. 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  417 

Thursday,  19.  Edwards  held  early  service.  A  confer- 
ence with  the  assistants  about  Moses  and  Paulina,  Luke's 
daughter  [these  were  united  in  marriage  by  the  assistants], 
and  especially  about  our  young  women,  who  are  quite  gen- 
erally in  a  very  bad  way.  By  Indians  from  Sandusky  we 
learn  that  the  council  on  the  Miami  is  broken  up,  for  the 
Six  Nations  and  others  are  not  come.  It  is  now  said  they 
will  come  together  in  thirty  days.  It  now  comes  to  light 
that  the  Six  Illations  have  instigated  the  Chippewas  to  de- 
clare war  against  the  Delaware  nation,  of  which  last  year 
we  already  secretly  had  heard.  No  other  reason  can  be 
found  for  this  than  a  severe  speech  which  the  departed 
White  Eyes  made  in  Pittsburg  to  the  Mingoes,  which  is 
said  to  have  given  rise  to  this.  For  several  years  they 
have  been  working  that  all  nations  should  unite  and  hold 
together,  but  it  appears  they  will  at  last  be  discordant 
among  themselves.  Eight  Delawares  and  Mingoes  lately 
went  to  Wiliink  (Wheeling)  on  the  Ohio  to  murder  and 
steal,  of  whom  only  three  came  back,  the  others  perished. 
The  leaf  begins  to  turn,  and  the  Indians  almost  always 
pay  the  penalty.  We  learned  that  this  spring  three  of  our 
Indians  who  went  to  war  died,  Thomas,  George,  and  one 
who  was  not  baptized. 

Friday,  20.  White  people  came  from  Detroit,  young 
Farsithe,  Capt.  Thorne,  and  others,  with  the  prisoners,  on 
their  way  to  Pittsburg,  one  of  whom  was  Col.  Mitchel, 
who  in  the  year  '77  was  stationed  in  Bethlehem  with  the 
baggage,  and  knew  the  brothers.  This  spring,  on  the 
Ohio,  he  was  captured  by  the  Shawanese,  and  ransomed 
by  the  merchants  in  Detroit  for  two  hundred  dollars. 
They  were  conducted  on  the  21st  by  the  Indian,  Thomas, 
to  Pittsburg.  We  heard  that  in  Detroit  they  were  still 
planting,  on  account  of  the  late  high  water.  From  Pitts- 
burg came  one*  Wittiger,  who  six  days  before  had  spoken 
with  Br.  Michael  Jung  and  his  company  on  the  Mahoning ; 
all  well,  but  from  high  water  had  been  much  hindered  on 
their  journey. 

Sunday,  22.     Edwards  preached.    David  had  an  earnest 
27 


418  zeisberger's  diary. 

hour  with  the  children  on  account  of  bad  conduct,  and 
held  the  congregation  meeting.  We  had  a  conference 
with  the  assistants,  who  spoke  with  John  Cook  till  late  in 
the  night,  reminding  him  of  his  promises  to  behave  ac- 
cording to  our  rules  and  exhorting  him  to  keep  order  in 
his  house,  and  they  impressed  it  upon  him.  A  Frenchman 
from  Sandusky  Bay,  with  his  wife,  made  us  a  friendly  visit 
and  went  back. 

Monday,  23.  The  brethren  hoed  our  plantation.  Br. 
Edwards  held  early  service  from  the  Scripture-verse :  I 
will  be  as  the  dew  unto  Israel.  Joseph,  in  whom  it  can 
be  seen  that  his  end  draws  near,  was,  at  his  request,  ab- 
solved on  his  sick-bed  in  the  presence  of  several  brethren. 

Tuesday,  24.  The  brethren  built  a  house  for  John  Cook, 
who  has  thus  far  lived  in  one  lent  him,  who  has  again 
made  clear  that  he  will  be  the  Saviour's  and  hold  to  his 
first  resolution,  made  when  he  came  here.  If  people  come 
to  us  about  whom  we  have  hesitation  and  doubt,  whether 
they  will  remain  and  thrive  in  the  church,  we  have  the 
foresight  to  build  them  a  house  ourselves,  so  that  in  case 
they  do  not  get  along  well  in  the  church,  if  things  change 
with  them  and  we  have  to  send  them  away,  they  cannot 
plague  us  and  say  :  "  It  is  my  house,  from  which  no  one 
can  drive  me,"  as  we  have  already  had  instances, 

Thursday,  26.     Lea  went  from  time,  who, 

Friday,  27,  was  buried.  She  came  here  the  4th  of  last 
May  from  the  Miami  towns,  having  sent  word  from  San- 
dusky, where  she  became  ill,  that  we  should  bring  her 
here.  She  came  to  us  with  her  mother,  over  the  lake,  but 
when  the  latter  died  she  went  away,  came  again  and  went. 
Since  now  we  knew  her,  we  did  not  wish  to  bring  her  here 
without  first  knowing  why  she  would  come  to  the  church, 
but  yet  let  it  happen  upon  hearing  she  would  probably  not 
recover,  and  her  sister  went  for  her.  She  promised  also 
not  to  leave  the  church  if  she  should  be  well  again,  but 
this  was  not  true,  as  results  showed,  for  after  she  was  here, 
she  was  not  at  all  concerned  about  herself,  indeed  joyful 
that  she  was  with  her  sister,  who  took  care  of  her,  but  she 
longed  for  nothing  else.    The  sisters  often  talked  with  her 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  419 

to  be  concerned  about  her  salvation  and  to  seek  forgive- 
ness from  the  Saviour,  but  she  took  it  not  to  heart  and 
heard  it  not  willingly.  Br.  David  visited  her  and  talked 
with  her,  but  she  remained  stubborn.  We  heard  after- 
wards from  Lydia,  with  whom  she  came,  and  who  took 
care  of  her  here  for  several  days,  that  she  had  said  she 
was  not  going  to  die,  and  when  she  was  well  again  she 
wished  to  go  away ;  she  had  not  come  here  to  remain,  but 
only  to  have  better  care  bodily.  The  text  of  the  day  of 
her  death  read  :  In  whom  the  God  of  this  world  hath 
blinded  the  minds  of  them  which  believe  not,  lest  the 
light  of  the  glorious  Gospel,  etc.  And  thus  it  was  with 
her.  It  was  a  sad  and  mournful  instance,  the  like  of 
which  we  have  hardly  yet  had  in  the  church.  She  was 
buried  in  especial  quiet,  and  thus  we  began  a  grave-yard 
for  the  unbaptized. 

Sunday,  29.  David  preached  from  the  text :  Know  ye 
not  that  so  many  of  us  as  were  baptized  into  Jesus  Christ 
were  baptized  into  his  death,  and  Edwards  held  the  con- 
gregation meeting. 

Monday,  30.  David  held  early  service.  To-day  finally 
came  Gelelemend,  already  in  the  third  year  of  his  journey 
from  the  Fort  hither,  with  his  whole  family,  and  encamped 
in  sight  of  our  town,  where  many  of  our  Indian  brethren 
visited  him. 

Tuesday,  July  1.  At  the  early  service,  which  Br.  Ed- 
wards held,  Gelelemend,^  above  mentioned,  was  present, 
with  three  sons,  one  already  grown.  We  heard  once  again 
frightful  stories  about  a  war  party  of  Chippewas,  who  were 
come  from  Michilimackinac  to  the  mouth  of  this  creek 
and  wanted  to  go  the  Pittsburg  road  to  war,  which  made 
us  much  concerned  about  our  Br.  Michael  Jung  with  his 
company,  whom  we  were  now  every  day  expecting  back  from 
there,  and  we  thought  of  sending  some  Indian  brethren 


^A  grandson  of  Xetawatwes,  friend  of  the  Americans  and  opponent 
of  Capt.  Pipe.  He  was  obnoxious  to  the  Monseys,  and  for  a  long  time 
lived  in  concealment  in  Pittsburg.  Much  of  his  subsequent  history  is 
given  in  this  diary.  He  died  in  January,  1811,  about  eighty  years  old. 
See  Drake's  Book  of  the  Indians,  V.  95. 


420  zeisberger's  diary. 

to  meet  them  and  escort  them  hither.  Since  the  Chippe- 
was  and  Indians  in  our  neighborhood  could  not  persuade 
them  to  turn  about,  they  at  last  brought  the  matter  to  this 
point,  that  they  went  another  way  down  to  the  Ohio,  for 
they  did  not  wish  to  have  this  way  closed,  where  many 
Chippewas,  Tawas,  and  other  Indians  encamp  hunting,  so 
that  in  some  measure  we  were  quieted.    They  marched  by, 

Wednesday,  2,  in  sight  of  our  town.  At  the  out- 
set, when  they  came  here,  they  said  that  thousands  of 
their  nation  would  follow  them,  but  when  at  their  depart- 
ure they  were  carefully  questioned,  they  said  they  did  not 
know  whether  more  would  come,  so  that  we  thus  saw  they 
had  told  only  lies.  We  heard,  by  way  of  Sandusky,  that 
Brant  and  the  Mingoes  held  a  council  in  Detroit,  of  which 
in  a  short  time  we  should  hear  something. 

Thursday,  3.  Br.  Edwards  held  early  service.  David 
then  spoke  with  Gelelemend,  who  expressed  to  him  liis  de- 
sire and  longing  to  be  with  the  church  again,  for  he  had 
twice  been  expelled  on  the  Muskingum,  when  we  were 
there,  for  he  was  then  very  much  involved  in  the  aflairs 
of  chief,  and  at  last  became  chief  in  Goschachgiink.  Now, 
however,  that  he  is  free  and  has  nothing  more  to  do  with 
afiairs,  although  last  year  the  Delaware  chiefs  visited  him 
and  proposed  to  him  to  come  again  and  be  chief,  but  he 
had  declined,  we  could  not  refuse  him  for  the  third 
time,  but  received  him,  after  the  assistants  had  first  spoken 
with  him  and  his  wife.  He  came  very  meek  and  out- 
wardly very  poor,  so  that  we  all  had  great  pity  for  him, 
and  sought  to  help  him  what  we  could.  He  said  to  Br. 
David,  whom  he  had  not  seen  for  seven  years,  that  he  had 
countless  times  wished  himself  with  us,  for  in  Pittsburg, 
where  he  retired  during  the  war,  he  was  often  no  day  sure 
of  his  life,  on  account  of  the  militia;  when  then  he 
thought  of  going  to  us  over  the  lake,  he  knew  not  how  to 
come  because  of  the  Indians,  who  likewise  wished  his  life. 
He  was  quite  revived  and  cheerful  when  he  got  permission 
to  be  one  of  our  inhabitants,  for  he  was  much  cast  down 
and  in  fear  he  might  be  again  rejected.  If  the  chiefs  in 
such  condition  come  to  us,  we  will  receive  them  heartily 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  421 


and  cheerfully,  show  them  love  and  kindness,  and  the 
greater  is  our  joy  if  they  thrive  for  the  Saviour  in  the 
church  and  become  eternally  happy.  In  the  evening  the 
assistant,  Samuel,  delivered  a  discourse  to  all  the  brothers 
and  sisters,  very  effectively,  in  the  school-house.  The  as- 
sistants have  reasonably  much  to  do. 

Friday,  4.  All  the  brethren  helped  plant  one  piece 
more  of  corn.  Although  it  should  not  ripen,  yet  it  will 
be  good  to  eat,  so  that  they  have  yet  something  to  hope  for. 
-  Saturday,  5.  By  way  of  Sandusky,  from  which  place 
daily  this  week  Indians  have  come  here,  we  learned  that 
Pomoacan,  the  Half- King,  died  in  Detroit,  whither  he  was 
gone  to  a  council.  According  to  appearances,  he  was 
again  our  friend  since  we  have  been  here,  for  he  called  us 
hither,  though  it  may  not  have  been  without  a  purpose, 
for  such  people  do  nothing  without  a  purpose.  From  De- 
troit came  two  white  people.  Loveless,  with  a  woman,  on 
their  way  to  Pittsburg,  who  were  brought  there  in  the  war 
as  prisoners  and  had  known  us  there.  They  were  accom- 
panied to  the  Fort  by  Frank. 

Sunday,  6.  Edwards  preached  about  the  great  miracle, 
above  all  the  Saviour  did,  that  the  Creator  of  all  things 
became  man,  suffered  bitter  death  for  his  fallen  human 
creation,  and  thereby  brought  about  eternal  redemption. 
David  held  the  children's  service  and  the  congregation 
meeting,  the  latter  from  the  Scripture-verse,  with  reference 
to  the  words  of  the  Saviour :  Ye  are  the  salt  of  the  earth 
and  ye  are  the  light  of  the  world,  that  the  Saviour's  peo- 
ple shall  be  a  blessing  for  the  world  and  bear  fruit.  A 
young  unmarried  man,  Levi  by  name,  who,  a  grown  boy, 
had  been  baptized  on  the  Muskingum,  and  came  here  last 
evening,  came  to-day  quite  early  to  Br.  David,  made  him- 
self known,  and  begged  leave  again  to  come  to  the  church. 
He  said  he  could  no  longer  be  among  the  savages,  for  since 
he  heard  we  were  here  he  had  no  rest,  his  heart  told  him 
he  belonged  to  us ;  he  had  come  for  no  other  reason  than 
to  ask  permission  to  be  allowed  to  come  to  the  church. 
Here  is  seen  the  wide  difference  between  a  savage  and  one 
who   has  been   baptized.     Here  was   found   a  field  that, 


422  zeisberger's  diary. 

plainly  to  be  seen,  had  been  worked  before,  for  when  Br. 
David  told  him  he  did  well  in  again  seeking  the  Saviour 
and  the  church,  and  reminded  him  of  his  baptism,  the  tears 
ran  down  his  cheeks.  He  was  told  that  the  assistants 
would  call  him  and  speak  with  him,  to  whom  he  should 
disclose  his  heart  and  wish,  who  w^ould  then  speak  farther 
with  him;  this  thus  happened,  and  he  got  leave  to  come 
here.  He  was  so  pleased  with  this  that  he  said  he  had  told 
his  grandmother,  Gertrude,  two  days  before,  upon  leaving 
her,  that  he  would  come  back  again  in  eight  days,  but  since- 
now  he  received  such  good  w^ords  and  comforting  answer 
he  wanted  to  go  back  to  Sandusky  to-morrow  morning 
and  bring  her  here  with  him.  An  unbaptized  maiden,  or 
woman,  whose  mother  died  in  the  church,  came  here  some 
days  ago  to  remain,  and  wished  not  again  to  go  away.  She 
was  also  received  after  she  had  been  brought  into  a  family 
and  cared  for. 

Monday,  7.  Edwards  held  early  service.  We  heard 
that  five  of  the  thirteen  warriors  who  went  by  five  days 
ago,  came  back  last  evening  without  accomplishing  any 
thing,  very  hungry. 

Tuesday,  8.  David  held  early  service.  A  sickly,  unbap- 
tized woman  came  here  a  few  days  ago  and  wanted  much 
to  stay  here.  As  a  child  she  had  been  in  the  church,  and 
after  the  death  of  her  mother,  who  was  baptized  and 
blessed,  she  was  taken  by  her  father  among  the  savages. 
Last  winter  she  came  here  visiting  wath  her  husband  and 
omitted  no  meeting,  as  also  now.  To  her  an  Indian  doc- 
tor had  said  she  was  not  sick  in  body,  nothing  was  the 
matter  with  her,  but  she  was  sick  in  heart  and  in  mind  ; 
she  might  well  have  been  at  the  meetings  of  the  believing 
Indians  and  thought  much  about  what  she  heard  there  ; 
no  doctor  could  help  her,  she  must  go  to  the  believers, 
there  she  would  soon  be  well.  Her  husband  went  through 
here  not  long  ago  on  his  way  hunting,  and  had  said  that 
when  he  came  back  he  wanted  to  come  straight  here  and 
stay.  As  we  could  not  support  the  wife,  since  at  times  we 
are  badly  supplied  with  food,-  we  advised  her  to  go  back 
again  home  and  wait  for  her  husband,  until  he  came  and 


AT    NEW    SALEM,   1788.  423 

expressed  his  wish  to  live  here,  and  this  she  did,  though 
not  very  willingly. 

In  the  evening  quite  late  Br.  Michael  Jung  came  back 
from  the  Fort,  having  been  much  delayed  by  heavy  rains 
and  high  water,  after  being  gone  just  four  weeks.  We 
thanked  the  Saviour  that  they  had  made  the  journey  with- 
out opposition  from  warriors,  having  been  troubled  about 
them,  for  if  nothing  had  happened  to  endanger  his  life,  he 
might  have  been  robbed.  He  brought  us  a  letter  from  Br. 
Ettwein,  dated  June  10th  and  14th,  from  which  we  saw 
that  other  letters,  written  in  May,  were  still  delayed.  A 
letter  from  Br.  Abraham  Reinke,^  from  Yorktown,  (Pa.),  of 
Aug.  28th,  last  year,  only  got  here  at  the  same  time. 

Wednesday,  9.  Br.  Michael  Jung  held  early  service. 
Afterwards  the  Lord's  supper  was  announced  to  the  com- 
municants for  next  Saturday.  At  noon  a  Chippewa  war- 
party  came  in  with  drumming  and  singing,  after  their 
fashion,  to  dance  and  beg  from  house  to  house.  Abraham, 
the  assistant,  went  at  once  to  them,  stopped  them  and  ad- 
dressed them,  saying  we  knew  why  they  were  come, 
namely,  to  get  something  to  eat,  being  hungry  ;  they  should 
sit  down  and  be  quite  quiet,  we  did  not  wish  their  dancing 
and  drumming  here,  they  should  then  have  plenty  to  eat. 
This  they  did,  sat  down,  and  they  were  fed  their  fill.  The 
chief  reason  why  they  came  here  was  that  they  wanted 
tobacco,  and  also  a  hog,  which  we  gave  them,  and  they 
drew  off  again.  They  admitted  themselves  that  they 
were  sent  to  war,  not  by  the  English,  bat  by  their  own 
chiefs,  and  this  was  not  only  true,  but  the  English  were 
opposed  to  their  going,  and  we  heard  afterwards  that  they 
stole  out  of  Detroit. 

Thursday,  10.  Thomas  came  back,  who  had  accom- 
panied white  people  to  the  Fort.  Col.  Joseph  Mitchel, 
who  had  been  a  prisoner,  wrote  back  by  him,  praising  the 
good  conduct  of  Thomas,  their  pilot,  both  on  the  journey 
thither  and  at  the  Fort,  and  thanking  our  Indians  for  the 
friendship  and  love  he  had  met  here. 

'Born  June  15,  1752,  and  died  Feb.  16,  1833;  pastor  of  various 
churches  in  Pennsylvania  and  at  Hope,  N.  J. 


424  zeisberger's  diary. 

Friday,  11.  David  held  early  service.  In  the  afternoon 
the  war-party  came  back  again,  in  a  quiet  and  orderly 
way,  and  announced  they  had  something  to  say.  We  gave 
them  to  eat,  and  then  they  said  they  were  stopped  in  De- 
troit, but  had  secretly  stolen  away ;  they  said  then  that, 
perhaps,  grandfather  did  not  like  to  see  the  way  to  the 
Fort  made  insecure,  and  gave  us  to  understand  that  if  he 
did  not  like  to  see  it,  they  would  rather  turn  about.  Our 
Indians  made  a  speech  with  a  string  of  wampum,  advising 
them  to  turn  back  again,  and  this  they  promissd  to  do,  but 
this  is  a  reproach  for  warriors,  they  will  be  ridiculed  if 
they  turn  back  and  have  nothing  to  show  that  they  have 
been  stopped.  We  got  together  some  provisions  for  their 
homeward  march.  They  wanted  to  remain  over  night 
here  and  have  a  dance,  but  we  told  them  we  did  not  allow 
dancing  here;  in  other  towns  they  might  dance,  but  not 
here,  and  so  they  went  away. 

Saturday,  12.  After  the  brethren  had  been  spoken  to 
on  previous  days,  we  had  the  most  blessed  enjoyment  of 
the  body  and  blood  of  our  Lord  in  the  holy  communion, 
which  we  have  not  had  for  five  weeks  from  want  of  wine. 

Sunday,  13.  The  communion  liturgy  was  read  early, 
and  then  Br.  Michael  preached.  Afterwards  was  the 
quarter-hour  for  the  baptized.  By  a  wild  Indian  we  had 
a  letter  from  Br.  Ettwein  in  Bethlehem,  of  May  5th. 
After  he  had  gone,  we  heard  that  he  was  one  of  several 
horse-thieves,  who  did  not  come  into  town,  having  stolen 
horses  in  Pittsburg,  and  he  came  in  only  to  deliver  the 
letter. 

Tuesday,  15.  The  Indian,  of  whom  mention  is  made 
under  March  8th,  who  did  not  hold  it  needful  to  go  to  the 
meetings,  having  done  nothing  wrong  in  his  life,  came 
here  again  some  time  ago,  and  for  a  week  had  longed 
to  live  here,  with  whom  the  assistants  spoke,  and  to 
whom  they  listened.  He  said  that  when  he  was  here  be- 
fore he  believed  he  needed  nothing,  but  since  then  he  had 
thought  about  himself,  and  found  that  all  his  doing  and 
behaviour  was  sin,  and  that  thexe  was  nothing  good  in  him, 
wherefore  he  would  like  to  be  in  the  church,  in  hope  that 


AT    NEW    SALEM,  1788.  425 

the  Saviour  would  pity  him,  forgive  his  sins,  and  bless 
him.  The  brethren  asked  him  also  about  his  outward  cir- 
cumstances and  gave  him  advice,  since  he  wanted  to  live 
here,  which  he  received. 

Wednesday,  16.  Edwards  held  early  service.  There- 
upon was  a  conference  of  assistants,  especially  concerning 
our  young  people,  for  instance,  Pauline,  Cornelius'  daugh- 
ter. We  considered  how  to  correct  disorderly  living,  and 
where  we  could  help.  Many  went  hunting,  as  did  Jacob? 
and  many  with  him.  Br.  Michael  Jung  grew  sick  again 
since  he  has  been  at  home,  especially  with  toothache,  as 
also  Susanna. 

Thursday,  17.  David  held  early  service  about  bringing 
our  requests  and  prayers  before  the  Saviour  with  thanks- 
giving. The  assistants  met  with  the  brothers  to  regulate 
matters  in  business  and  behaviour.  In  the  afternoon  the 
Chippewa  warriors  came  back,  who  had  gone  by  here 
fourteen  days  ago,  with  five  scalps  and  one  prisoner,  the 
Quaker,  who  last  autumn,  in  the  Miami  towns,  had  escaped 
and  come  here,  and  was  taken  to  the  Fort.  He  was  now 
again  made  prisoner,  on  the  Muskingum,  at  the  place 
where  preparations  were  making  for  the  treaty,  where 
these  warriors  made  an  attack.  They  had  strict  orders  to 
fall  upon  no  Indians,  and  were  not  prepared  for  an  attack 
until  the  warriors  had  accomplished  their  object,  yet  the 
Chippewa  head-man  perished  there.  There  is  a  very  bad 
prospect  of  peace,  it  is  turned  aside,  and  no  one  knows 
whether  or  when  thej^  will  come  together,  for  all  prelimi- 
naries thereto  come  lamely  forward.  The  French  in  San- 
dusky Bay  gave  the  prisoner  advice  to  escape  when  he  was 
over  the  lake  in  the  settlements.  William  came  back  from 
Sandusky. 

Sunday,  20.  David  preached  from  the  Epistle  that  all 
we  find  in  Holy  Writ  about  the  people  of  God  is  given  us 
for  example  and  exhortation,  that  we  should  not  let  our- 
selves lust  after  wickedness,  that  all  the  works  of  dark- 
ness, though  they  happen  secretly,  will  come  to  light,  and 
that  nothing  will  remain  concealed  before  him  who  has 
eyes  like  flames  of  fire;  therefore  we  should  seek  a  recon- 


426  zeisberger's  diary. 

ciled  heart  and  to  have  peace  with  God,  that  our  trans- 
gressions may  here  be  done  away  with  and  blotted  out  by 
Jesus'  blood,  so  that  we,  clad  in  the  righteousness  of  his 
blood,  may  appear  before  God.  Br.  Edwards  held  the 
congregation  meeting  from  the  text :  As  every  man  has 
received  the  gift,  even  so  minister  the  same  one  to  another, 
etc.,  that  we  have  to  look  one  upon  another  as  members  of 
one  body,  whose  head  is  Christ,  and  that  each  member 
should  be  useful,  helpful,  and  a  blessing  to  the  others,  so 
that  none  can  think  it  needs  no  other. 

Monday,  21.  Michael  held  early  service  from  the  Script- 
ure-verse :  I  will  get  them  praise  and  fame  in  every  land 
where  they  have  been  put  to  shame,  that  the  Saviour  will 
be  glorified  through  believers  in  him  ;  therefore  he  will 
place  them  for  a  blessing,  and  let  them  shine  as  a  light 
which  shall  not  be  hid;  what  he  does  in  them  shall  be  seen 
for  the  glory  of  his  name. 

By  our  Indians  who  came  from  Sandusky,  we  heard 
again  unpleasant  stories  that  the  Chippewas  in  great  num- 
ber were  coming  over  from  Detroit,  wishing  to  plunder  us 
for  having  sold  their  land,  which  news  made  much  stir 
among  our  brethren,  and  was  thoroughly  talked  over. 

Tuesday,  22.  We  considered  again  about  the  thing, 
after  having  already  considered  it  two  days  ago,  but  then 
we  had  not  to  ask  the  Saviour.  To  make  our  Indian 
brethren  content,  however,  we  asked  the  Saviour  again, 
whether  we  had  to  do  any  thing  in  the  matter,  and  he  let 
us  know  that  we  should  send  some  Indian  brethren  over 
the  lake  to  get  information  and  speak  with  the  Chippewas. 
We  proposed  this  to  the  assistants,  and  it  was  not  to  their 
mind,  but  they  declined,  and  we  must  so  let  it  be  for  the 
present,  but  we  found  afterwards  that  all  was  nothing  but 
lies,  there  being  nothing  in  the  thing. 

Wednesday,  23.  Br.  Edwards  held  early  service  from 
the  Scripture-verse  :  And  I  will  give  you  pastors  accord- 
ing to  mine  heart,  etc.,  and  said  that  the  brethren  should 
carefully  obey  their  teachers  according  to  the  words  of  the 
Apostle  Paul,  for  they  watched  over  their  souls,  but  it  hap- 
pened at  times  that  they  wished  to  be  wiser  and  shrewder, 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  427 

thiiikiug  they  understood  better,  and  thereby  they  came 
to  need  and  confusion,  so  that  in  the  end  they  knew  not 
what  to  do,  and  made  things  hard  for  themselves  and  also 
for  their  teachers. 

From  Sandusky  a  Wyandot  counsellor  came,  who  under- 
stood Delaware,  and  brought  us  news  that  a  messenger 
from  Detroit  was  come,  where  the  nations  were  assembled 
for  a  conference,  with  a  message  to  the  Indians  of  this  pur- 
port :  They  should  not  go  away  from  home  a  short  mile, 
nor  go  to  the  Fort;  it  would  not  last  long,  and  we  should 
hear  how  circumstances  turned  out.  Some  of  our  Indians 
were  just  ready  to  go  to  Pittsburg;  they  were  also  de- 
layed. We  saw  from  this  that  they  were  upon  the  point 
of  going  to  the  treaty.  He  was  charged  to  speak  farther 
with  our  Indians,  and  to  find  out  what  our  mind  was  in 
regard  to  remaining  here,  and  he  said,  since  they  had 
heard  lies  on  every  hand,  this  had  given  him  occasion  to 
ask,  which  now  he  did.  The  assistants  replied  to  him  and 
laid  our  condition  before  him,  how  it  then  was  with  us; 
that  in  Cuyahoga  we  got  a  message  from  Pipe  with  a  belt, 
who  called  us  to  Pettquotting  to  live,  saying  that  his 
uncles,  the  Wyandots,  had  given  it  him;  that  he  had 
vacated  it  so  that  we  should  occupy  it.  AVe  departed  last 
year  from  Cuyahoga  and  had  wished  to  settle  on  the  deep 
creek  (perhaps  Vermillion  River),  where  a  messenger  came, 
who  told  us  we  could  not  live  there,  we  should  come  to  San- 
dusky, there  a  place  was  set  apart  for  us,  but  he  mentioned 
nothing  about  the  former  message  we  had  received  ;  finally 
we  had  come  here  to  Pettquotting,  and  as  it  was  already 
time  to  plant,  we  remained  here,  but  had  let  our  uncles 
know  that  we  were  forced  to  remain  here  and  plant,  that 
we  might  have  something  for  our  wives  and  children  to 
live  on.  The  uncles  were  well  content  with  this,  and  said 
to  us  that  no  one  would  or  should  molest  us,  and  if  the 
times  continued  good  and  peaceful,  perhaps  we  could  re- 
main here  longer,  but  should  any  danger  come  they  would 
let  us  know.  Since  then  they  had  said  nothing  to  os,  and 
we  remained  and  had  again  planted  here  ;  thus  our  affairs 
stood,  and  so  we  held  to  what  the  Wyandots  had  said.     It 


428  zeisberger's  diary. 

appears,  however,  that  they  will  not  leave  us  here,  and 
think  indeed  of  making  us  come  to  Sandusky,  for  it 
arouses  much  attention  among  them  that  all  are  running 
to  us,  and  they  are  not  capable  of  hindering  it.  Why 
have  they  compelled  us  to  settle  here  ?  We  hud  not  so  in- 
tended ;  they  have  themselves  to  blame,  and  should  have 
no  thanks  for  it. 

Friday,  25.  Sisters  came  back  from  Sandusky  with 
corn,  which  they  had  bought.  Among  our  brethren  hun- 
ger and  want  of  food  grow  stronger.  Corn  is  hard  to  get 
and  very  dear,  three  dollars  the  cheapest.  N^.  B. — The  many 
strangers  cause  us  want. 

Sunday,  27.  Edwards  preached  about  this,  that  the 
Saviour  is  sad,  yea  weeps,  over  nnen  who  are  indiiferent  in 
regard  to  their  salvation  and  wish  not  to  accept  what  he 
has  earned  and  won  for  them.  Br.  David  conducted  the 
children's  hour  and  Michael  held  the  congregation  meet- 
ing. In  the  afternoon  came  Nathaniel  Davis,  with  his 
wife  and  children,  six  persons,  to  remain  here.  He  said 
at  once  that  he  came  here  for  good  and  had  left  nothing 
behind  except  his  plantation.  They  were  still  all  full  of 
the  death  of  their  son  Leonard,  who  made  a  long  visit 
here  this  spring,  and  they  said  that  after  he  came  home  he 
was  quite  another  man,  had  then  no  longer  pleasure  nor 
rest,  and  was  always  urging  them  to  go  to  the  church,  and 
when  he  became  ill  [his  illness  lasted  but  two  days]  he 
prayed  to  the  Saviour  all  the  time  and  also  exhorted  his 
parents  to  call  upon  the  Saviour  with  him,  that  he  would 
be  merciful  to  him,  till  his  breath  ceased.  He  had  also 
begged  them,  when  he  was  gone,  not  to  delay,  but  to 
hasten  to  the  church,  and  this  is  indeed  the  motive  for 
their  coming  here  at  the  time  of  the  greatest  need.  It  is 
true  that  in  this  way  we  are  always  adding  to  our  trouble 
and  care  and  much  labor,  but  yet  it  gives  us  joy  when  the 
erring  sheep  are  again  assembled  in  the  fold,  at  the  same 
time  that  we  do  not  compel  them,  and  if  we  tried  to  do  it, 
not  only  would  it  be  of  no  use,  but  rather  a  hinderance, 
but  the  Saviour  brings  it  about  himself,  for  we  call  no  one 
to  the  church,  so  that  if  they  thrive  not  they  have  not  to 


AT    THE    SALEM,    1788.  429 

reproach  us  as  if  we  had  overpersuaded  them.  Who  will 
only  wait  until  the  Saviour  acts,  he  can  speak  of  success, 
for  if  he  begins  to  work,  certainly  the  work  goes  bravely  on. 

So  also  day  before  yesterday  a  young  man,  named  Chris- 
tian came  here,  who  as  a  child  was  baptized  in  the  church, 
and  ceased  to  live  here;  he  came  to  Br.  David  and  spoke 
with  him.  The  assistants  talked  with  him  about  his  cir- 
cumstances in  detail,  for  there  was  much  in  him  to  cause 
hesitation,  for  last  winter  in  a  drunken  brawl  he  had  killed 
a  Cherokee  Indian. 

Monday,  25.  We  have  good,  comforting  news  from  the 
council  over  the  lake,  from  which  we  see  there  is  a  better 
prospect  for  peace  than  ever  before,  and  that  they  are  now 
upon  a  good  path.  The  news  was  related  and  made  known 
in  full  to  our  Indian  brethren,  to  their  sympathy  and  pleas- 
ure, for  hardly  anywhere  will  there  be  greater  joy,  if  peace 
be  concluded,  than  with  us,  since  we  see  with  our  own  eyes 
the  misery  and  want  if  a  new  Indian  war  should  break 
out,  and  we  should  feel  them  most.  From  the  Delawares 
in  Gigeyunk  we  likewise  hear  good  news,  that  their 
chief  has  very  strictly  forbidden  their  young  men  stealing 
or  doing  further  damage.  The  Twightwees,  Tawas,  and 
others  have  this  spring  given  the  Delawares  land  from  the 
Miami  to  the  Wabash,  so  that  now  again  they  have  their 
own  land  to  live  on.  Now  we  hear  that  the  Delaware 
chief,  who  became  chief  in  Israel's  place,  has  always  an 
eye  upon  the  believing  Indians,  for  once  already  he  has 
sent  us  word  that  since  we  are  here  this  side  of  the  lake 
he  still  thinks  upon  what  his  uncle,  Israel,  told  him,  when 
he  gave  over  to  him  his  chieftainship,  namely,  to  love  the 
believing  Indians  and  their  teachers,  to  do  them  good  and 
protect  them  from  wild,  hostile  Indians,  so  far  as  he  could ; 
but  he  had  been  so  far  distant  from  us,  having  himself  no 
certain  and  abiding  place,  that  hitherto  he  could  not  be 
very  serviceable  to  us  in  any  thing,  but  the  time  would 
come  when  he  would  be  in  condition  to  carry  out  his  sug- 
gestions, when  j&rst  again  he  had  a  sure  abode.  We  had 
shortly  before  heard  that  one  of  his  counsellors,  whom  we 
well  knew,  will  come  express  to  us  and  speak  with  us.    The 


430  zeisberger's  diary. 

chief  Welandawecken  is  now  reported  to  have  said  that 
if  there  should  be  war,  and  this  still  hangs  in  the  balance, 
he  would  take  fiom  here  far  enough  out  of  the  way  the  be- 
lieving Indians,  with  the  missionaries,  over  whom  be  claims 
a  right  in  virtue  of  his  orders  ;  but  if  there  should  be  peace, 
he  would  let  us  stay  here.  Thus,  should  there  be  war,  we 
are  already  provided  for,  and  our  care  is  in  vain.  Things 
will  go  again  as  we  have  already  experienced  them.  We 
must  go  whither  we  are  taken  ;  we  may  wish  it  or  not,  and 
shall  have  no  choice  in  the  matter.  Nathaniel  Davis  spoke 
with  us  about  his  coming  to  us ;  that  his  whole  thought 
was  of  giving  himself  anew  to  the  Saviour  and  living  for 
him.  He  said  he  had  lost  much  by  staying  away  from  us 
so  long;  that  the  Saviour  was  not  content  with  his  tarry- 
ing among  the  savages,  for  he  had  planted  two  years 
and  harvested  nothing.  His  crops  had  either  been  de- 
stroyed by  frost  or  by  bad  weather.  Want  had  forced 
him  last  autumn  to  pass  the  whole  winter  hunting,  having 
nothing  to  eat,  and  what  they  planted  this  year  was  frost- 
bitten in  the  middle  of  summer,  and  thus  they  had  little 
or  nothing  to  eat. 

Thursday,  31.  To-day,  and  for  many  days,  we  have  had 
many  visits  from  strangers,  yes,  not  a  day  is  the  town  free 
from  them.  As  our  Indians  have  little  to  eat,  they  go  in- 
dustriously to  the  whortleberries,  w^hich  are  a  great  help 
for  them;  some  take  their  children  there  for  food,  where 
they  can  eat  their  fill  and  have  much  pleasure  too. 

Friday,  Aug.  1.  David  held  early  service  from  the  text: 
Therefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  be  ye  steadfast,  unmove- 
able,  always  abounding  in  the  works  of  the  Lord,  for  as 
much  as  ye  know  that  your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the 
Lord,  to  this  effect,  that  our  labor  here  should  be  to  be- 
come so  minded  as  was  Jesus  Christ,  also  to  learn  from 
him  who  was  meek  and  of  humble  heart.  Thereto  belongs 
that  we  should  stand  fast  by  him;  then  will  the  Holy 
Ghost  make  us  recognize  our  corrupt  hearts,  wherewith  we 
go  to  the, Saviour  and  let  them  be  purified  by  his  blood. 
The  end  of  this  our  labor  would  be  to  be  established  with 
him,  and  to  live  eternally  with  him.     At  noon  Joseph  was 


AT   NEW    SALEM,    1788.  431 

released  from  this  vale  of  tears,  dying  peacefully.  David 
had  been  with  him  shortly  before,  and  had  encouraged  him 
to  pray  to  the  Saviour,  soon  to  take  him  to  himself,  and 
this  he  did. 

Saturday,  2.  After  the  early  service  from  the  text:  Ex- 
amine yourselves  whether  ye  be  in  the  faith;  prove  your 
own  selves,  of  which  application  was  made,  the  remains  of 
the  Indian  Joseph  were  buried.  He  was  baptized  Jan.  1,  '74, 
in  Gnadenhiitten,  on  the  Muskingum,  by  Br.  Schmick,^  but 
as  long  as  he  was  in  the  church  he  went  a  bad  way,  and 
would  never  come  right.  When  he  was  talked  with,  it  was 
his  regular  complaint  about  himself  that  he  was  a  bad,  ut- 
terly corrupt  man,  but  thereby  it  was  ever  the  same  thing, 
for  he  loved  sin,  and  therefore  could  not  be  free  therefrom, 
and  yet  he  could  not  remain  away  from  the  church.  He 
came  to  us  again  on  the  Huron  River  (Michigan).  We  had 
indeed  great  doubt  about  receiving  him,  for  he  was  one  of 
those  who  had  tortured  Col.  Crawford  to  death  in  San- 
dusky, and  he  had  himself  scalped  him  while  yet  alive. 
When  he  was  told  that  on  account  of  white  people,  who 
would  learn  what  he  had  done,  he  could  not  be  with  us,  he 
was  yet  unwilling  to  be  refused,  and  begged  us  only  the 
more  pressingly  to  have  compassion  with  him,  for  he  must 
be  lost  eternally,  and  he  said  he  would  rather  himself  go 
to  Detroit  to  the  commandant  and  beg  for  pardon.  For  a 
time  all  seemed  well,  and  it  appeared  as  if  he  were  per- 
fectly in  earnest  in  being  converted  anew  with  his  whole 
heart.  At  his  request  he  was  absolved,  but  it  did  not  last 
long,  and  he  came  little  by  little  into  his  old  bad  vvay,  yes, 
it  went  so  far  that  we  were  forced  to  send  him  away  again. 
In  Cuyahoga  he  sought  us  out  again,  wishing  to  l)e  with 
us,  but  we  took  little  notice  of  what  he  said.  Last  autumn, 
when  he  lay  sick  in  Sandusky,  he  begged  us  again  and 
again  to  let  him  come  to  the  church  and  end  there  his  re- 
maining days.  Hearing  that  he  would  not  recover,  we 
permitted  hira,  in  hope  that  his  soul  might  be    rescued, 


^  John  Jacob  Schmick,  1714-1778.     He  came  to  America  in  1751 ;  was 
busy  in  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  missions  till  the  year  before  his  death. 


432  zeisberger's  diary. 

and  our  hope  was  not  in  vain.  He  found  his  heart,  that 
he  had  never  heen  just  and  upright,  and  had  always  kept 
back  something  that  he  did  not  wish  to  give  u]3  and  let 
go.  JSTow  he  saw  where  the  trouble  had  been,  that  he  had 
never  succeeded  in  being  quite  blessed.  This  he  said  to 
the  brethren,  who  visited  him,  and  warned  them  not  to  do 
as  he  had  done,  for  he  was  alone  to  blame  that  he  led  in 
the  church  a  bad,  unholy  life,  and  had  used  his  time  so 
vilely.  At  his  request  and  longing  he  was  absolved  upon 
his  sick-bed,  whereupon  he  passed  happily  his  few  remain- 
ing days.  In  him  it  could  be  §een  that  the  Saviour  had 
forsfiven  him  his  transo^ressions,  and  he  wished  that  the 
Saviour  would  soon  free  him  from  this  vale  of  tears  and 
take  him  to  himself.  Thus  he  died,  a  repentant  sinner, 
and  80  we  were  not  sorry  for  the  pains  and  trouble  we  had 
with  him,  for  he  was  afflicted  with  a  contagious  disease, 
but  we  thanked  the  Saviour  for  the  mercy  he  had  shown 
him.  Moreover,  to-day,  by  the  assistant,  Abraham,  who 
came  from  Sandusky,  we  got  letters,  by  way  of  Pittsburg, 
from  Bethlehem  and  Litiz,  of  May  and  June,  to  our  no 
common  joy.  From  these,  and  also  from  a  letter  expressly 
about  the  matter  from  Geo.  Wallace,  Esq.,  from  Pittsburg, 
we  learned  the  arrival  of  our  things  from  Bethlehem. 

Sunday,  3.  Michael  preached  from  the  Epistle  about 
this,  what  it  had  cost  the  Saviour  to  redeem  us  by  his 
great  sufferings  and  bitter  death.  Many  strangers  were 
present,  to  whom  Samuel  preached  the  Saviour  meanw^hile 
with  great  earnestness;  in  particular  he  described  to  Suck- 
achsun  his  dead  and  unreceptive  heart,  and  told  him  he 
had  no  more  reflection  and  consideration  than  a  cow. 
David  held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the  Scripture- 
verse  and  text,  that  the  Saviour  had  left  his  throne  and 
magnificence  with  the  Father,  had  come  into  the  world, 
putting  on  our  poor  flesh  and  blood  to  seek  the  lost  and  to 
save  sinners. 

Monday,  4.     Edwards  held  early  service. 

Tuesday,  5.  Michael  Schebosh  came  with  A.  Johanna 
and  Joseph  from  the  island  in.  Sandusky  Bay.  In  Detroit 
little  produce,  no  wares,  not  a  shirt  to  be  had. 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  433 

Wednesday,  6.  All  the  brethren  who  were  at  home 
went  hunting  in  common,  and  the  sisters  for  whortle- 
berries, with  which  they  now  get  much  help  until  the  corn 
is  to  be  eaten,  and  that  is  very  soon. 

Levi,  mention  of  whom  is  made  under  July  6th,  who 
had  leave  to  live  here,  came  now,  but  had  left  his  grand- 
mother behind,  who  did  not  want  to  come  yet.  Also  still 
more  strangers  came  here,  among  them  Philippina.  In 
our  neighborhood  the  savages  who  dwell  there  made  this 
evening  a  sacrifice  and  dance,  to  which  strange  Indians 
went  also,  who  had  come  here.  They  have  never  done 
the  like  since  they  have  been  here,  but  we  will  be  thought- 
ful about  this  at  a  good  and  suitable  time,  to  get  them 
away,  for  this  gives  a  hold  for  Satan.  We  thought  at  first 
that,  perhaps,  many  of  them  would  wish  to  be  converted, 
but  usually  it  is  worse  with  neighbors  who  are  so  near  us; 
they  live  just  by,  and  yet  never  come  to  the  meetings ;  on 
the  other  hand,  those  who  are  far  distant  come. 

Thursday,  7.  Edwards  held  early  service  from  the 
Scripture-verse  :  That  whoever  trusts  in  him  will  not  come 
to  harm.  Many  came  here  from  the  elk-hunt  with  meat ; 
thus  also  our  heavenly  Father  gives  something,  that  they 
can  live. 

Sunday,  10.  Br.  David  preached  and  then  held  the  com- 
munion quarter-hour,  for  to  the  communicants  the  impor- 
tant, great  day  and  the  Lord's  supper  were  announced. 
The  assistants  came  together  and  spoke  with  our  brethren, 
Joshua,  John  Cook's  son,  and  his  wife.  David  spoke  with 
Gelelemend,  who  visited  him, 

Monday,  11,  and  showed  his  longing  for  the  bath  of  holy 
baptism.  It  was  first  pointed  out  to  him  and  told  what  it 
particularly  depended  upon,  not  upon  our  own  running  and 
racing  and  our  own  works,  but  upon  God's  mercy  and  the 
entire  surrender  of  the  heart. 

Wednesday,  13.  At  the  text :  For  as  the  body  is  one 
and  hath  many  members,  and  all  the  members  of  that  one 
body,  etc.,  something  was  said  to  the  communicants  about 
28 


I 


434  zeisberger's  diary. 

the  importance  of  the  day/  and  they  were  thereby  re- 
minded that  through  the  grace  of  Jesus  Christ  they  are 
also  members  of  his  body,  of  which  he  is  the  head,  that  the 
Holy  Ghost  has  called  and  assembled  them  by  means  of 
the  brothers,  for  no  other  end  than  to  make  them  members 
of  his  body,  to  show  himself  mighty  in  them,  that  his  name 
may  be  glorified  through  them ;  therefore  the  church 
should  be  to  each  one  great  and  indispensable.  After  beg- 
ging absolution,  we  enjoyed  his  body  and  blood  in  the 
holy  sacrament,  to  which  A.  Charity  was  readmitted  the 
first  time  since  she  came  from  Cuyahoga,  after  receiving 
absolution. 

Thursday,  14.     Four  Chippewas  came  visiting  here,  re- 
maining a  couple  of  days.     One  of  them  was  from  Huron 
River,  and  told   us,  for  he  spoke  very  good  Delaware, 
that  he  lived  in  Br.  Zeisberger's  house,  that  the  houses 
were  all  occupied  by  Chippewas,   and  no  white   people 
lived  there  except  Conner,  to  whom  they  had  given  leave. 
It  was  very  pleasant  for  us  and  our  Indian  brethren  to  hear 
true  news  from  there,  after  already  having  heard  so  many 
lies,  for  now  we  saw  there  was  nothing  in  the  thing.     The 
Indian  brethren  also  spoke  to  them  about  the  Saviour,  the 
Redeemer  of  all  men,  that  we  through  faith  have  forgive- 
ness of  our  sins  and  life  eternal,  and  that  he  is  lost  who 
does  not  believe.     They  visited,  too,  the  meetings,  and 
otherwise  were  well  entertained,  as  things  now  are,  when 
everywhere  there  is  little  to  eat.     They  went  back  again 
on  the  16th,  and  we  gave  them  some  food  for  the  way.    He, 
from  Huron  River,  whose  brother  is  chief  there,  said  he  was 
much  pleased  here,  he  wished  in  the  autumn  to  come  again 
and  live  also  as  we  did.     We  told  him  then  he  should  also 
bring  his  wife  with  him.     After  they  were  gone  some  Chip- 
pewas from  Sandusky  Bay,  who  had  heard  that  some  of 
their  people  had  been  taken  prisoners  by  the  whites,  came 
here  to  learn  about  this.     They  were  told  that  this  was 
true,   that    the   war-party   which    had    been    murdering 
there  w^s  the  cause  of  it,  for  after  the  massacre  occur- 

^Seep.  199. 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  435 

red,  the  white  people  had  surrounded  and  captured  a  Chip- 
pewa party  out  hunting.  They  had  not  touched  the  women, 
but  only  the  men,  but  as  those  did  not  wish  to  leave  their 
husbands,  they  had  gone  with  them  ;  no  harm  had  befallen 
them  ;  they  were  well  kept  and  guarded  till  the  treaty. 
With  this  they  were  content. 

Sunday,  17.  Br.  Edwards  preached  from  the  Gospel 
about  the  good  Samaritan,  and  Br.  David  held  the  quar- 
ter-hour for  the  baptized  from  the  text:  For  as  many  of 
you  as  have  been  baptized  into  Christ  have  put  on  Christ. 
Michael  held  the  congregation  meeting, 

Tuesday,  19.  Br.  Edwards  held  the  early  service  from  the 
text :  For  whatsoever  is  born  of  God  overcometh  the  world  ; 
and  this  is  the  victory  that  overcometh  the  world,  even  our 
faith.  The  ^  spirit  of  the  Lamb,  which  rules  us,  his  blood, 
which  binds  us  together,  his  grace,  which  sits  at  the  helm, 
bring  about  the  victory  everywhere.  He  said  that  if  the 
brethren  simplylet  themselves  be  ruled  by  the  Spirit  of  God, 
were  obedient,  held  together  in  one  heart  and  mind  about 
the  word  of  the  blood  and  death  of  Jesus,  and  stood  fast 
by  him  in  faith,  they  would  have  perfect  victory  to  boast 
of,  even  in  the  worst  and  most  dangerous  circumstances, 
for  in  them  they  had  nothing  farther  to  do  than  to  be  still 
and  look  to  the  Saviour,  how  he  conducts  his  own  with 
a  mother's  hands,  according  to  the  collect  in  to-day's  Scrip- 
ture-verse, and  to  praise  him  therefor.  Here  we  cannot 
go  on,  since  Scripture-verse  and  text  are  so  appropriate, 
without  describing  in  detail  a  circumstance  which  has  oc- 
curred to  us,  since  now  we  see  things  together  in  their  con- 
nection, and  have  to-day  awaited  their  fortunate  conclu- 
sion, wherefor  the  Saviour  must  receive  abundant  praise 
and  thanksgiving,  for  he  alone  has  done  it  without  our 
help.  It  is  known  that  when  two  years  ago  we  came  away 
from  Huron  River  and  Detroit,  the  commandant,  Maj. 
William  Ancrum,  and  Mr.  Askin  prepared  two  ships  to 
take  us  to  Cuyahoga,  and  likewise  gave  us  for  our  houses 

1  Collect. 


436  zeisberger's  diary. 

and  the  labor  we  had  there  done,  a  bill  of  credit  for  two 
hundred  dollars,  for  which  in  Cuyahoga  we  got  flour,  which 
was  a  real  and  substantial  help  in  our  extremest  need,  when 
we  were  in  the  wilderness,  remote  from  Indian  and  white 
settlements,  so  that  thereby,  though  it  was  not  quite  suf- 
cient,  we  were  put  in  position  to  be  able  to  plant  somewhat 
and  outwardly  to  get  along.  When  we  came  here  a  year 
ago  from  Cuyahoga,  we  were  always  hearing  from  San- 
dusky that  the  Chippewas  were  discontented  with  us  and 
blamed  us  for  having  sold  their  laud  to  white  people.  To 
quiet  our  Indians,  for  they  cannot  well  bear  such  talk,  we 
sent  Br.  Edwards  with  some  Indian  brethren  to  Detroit,  to 
find  out  about  the  affair,  and  Br.  David  wrote  about  this 
both  to  Mr.  Askin  and  to  the  agent,  Capt.  McKee,  whose 
advice  we  begged,  but  nothing  farther  was  done  in  the 
matter;  we  saw  that  in  Detroit  little  account  was  made  of 
this.  Moreover,  Chippewas  lived  in  our  towns,  which  we  had 
left,  so  we  let  the  whole  matter  alone,  for  we  saw  not  what 
we  could  farther  do  in  the  thing,  thinking  that  if  we  stirred 
therein,  we  might  make  the  evil  worse,  perhaps,  and  arouse 
the  Chippewas,  and  thereby  get  ourselves  into  trouble. 
Our  comfort  was  that  we  had  acted  openly  before  the  eyes 
of  all  men,  and  uprightly;  we  had  done  nothing  secretly, 
nor  in  the  dark,  but  we  have  learned  thereby  not  to  do  the 
like  again,  and  in  the  future  to  save  ourselves  such  trouble; 
it  shall  be  to  us  a  l^ota,  Bene  hereafter.  This  spring  and 
summer  the  affair  was  warmed  up  again,  and  served  up  to 
our  Indians,  as  often  as  they  went  to  Sandusky,  for  from 
that  place  in  particular  it  came  here  through  wicked,  ill- 
disposed  Indians;  they  had  sold  the  Chippewas'  land  [they 
said];  they  would  come  over  therefore  and  plunder  us, 
and  thus  get  their  pay.  And  to  make  it  quite  probable,  lies 
upon  lies  were  invented  and  piled  together,  yes,  the  news 
once  came  that  two  thousand  Chippewas  were  already  near 
the  lake  here.  We  asked  the  Saviour  once  whether  in  the 
affair  we  were  to  ask  him,  and  nothing  was  to  be  done. 
We  were  then  at  rest  in  the  thing,  believing  what  we  had 
heard  to  be  lies,  but  yet  could  not  reassure  and  quiet  our 
Indians.     Therefore  upon  a  new  alarm  we  again  turned  to 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  437 

the  Saviour  and  inquired  if  we  liad  any  thing  to  ask,  and 
he  said,  yes.  We  made  then  the  following  questions : 
Whether  Br.  David  with  some  Indian  brothers  should  go 
t^  Detroit  to  see  what  was  to  be  done?  Answer:  Whether 
Br.  David  should  go  ?  no.  Whether  Indian  brothers  should 
go,  was  approved.  They,  however,  did  not  want  to  go  un- 
less some  one  of  us  went  too,  and  so  the  matter  remained, 
and  though  nothing  was  done,  yet  we  laborers  were  really 
helped,  that  we  were  not  so  overrun  by  our  Indians,  for  on 
our  part  we  considered  it  all  a  lie,  but  yet  could  not  make 
our  Indians  so  believe.  iSTow  the  French  trader,  whom 
Samuel  had  verbally  charged  to  get  information,  two 
months  ago,  from  the  Tawa  chief  in  Detroit,  to  whose 
hands  every  thing  must  go,  brought  us  the  following 
speech,  accompanied  by  a  string  of  wampum :  "  Grand- 
father, ye  believing  Indians  on  Huron  River,  it  has  been 
brought  to  my  ears  that  ye  are  accused  of  all  sorts  of  evil, 
and  burdened  with  the  charge  that  ye  have  sold  the  Chip- 
pewas'  land  on  Huron  River  (Michigan),  that  the  Chip- 
pewas  were  angry  about  this,  and  would  therefore  come 
and  take  away  all  ye  have,  of  which  I  had  never  heard. 
After  I  received  the  news,  I  assembled  the  Chippewa  chiefs 
and  head-men,  and  in  open  council  asked  them  whence 
this  accusation  came,  and  whether  any  one  had  let  such 
talk  go  out  of  his  mouth,  and  expressed  it,  but  we  have 
found  no  such  person  among  us,  and  know  nothing  thereof. 
This  we  can  say  of  you  on  the  Muskingum  and  on  the 
Huron  River  here,  where  ye  lived,  that  ye  neither  troubled 
yourselves  about  land  nor  war,  nor  any  thing  else,  except 
to  attend  to  your  worship  of  God ;  that  is  your  chief  busi- 
ness, this  we  know.  I  will  hereby  let  you  know  that  all 
ye  have  heard  are  lies.  Whether  they  have  come  from 
wretched  busy-bodies,  Delawares,  Wyandots,  or  Cbip- 
pewas,  or  from  white  people  and  Indians  together,  we 
cannot  determine,  and  must  so  let  it  be.  I  will  say  to  you, 
however,  believe  not  the  lies ;  the  like  has  never  come  into 
our  thoughts,  as  ye  have  heard,  and  comes  not  from  us. 
Take  this  string  of  wampum  for  a  token,  and  if  any  one 
farther  comes  to  unload  his  lies  to  you,  show  him  this,  and 


438  zeisberger's  diary. 

if  he,  or  they,  do  not  want  to  credit  it,  let  me  know,  I  will 
myself  come  and  punish  them  for  this.  Grandfather,  here 
on  Huron  River  thou  hast  lived  on  our  land ;  it  is  pleas- 
ant to  me  that  thou  now  livest  on  my  land,  the  other  side 
of  the  lake,  also  on  Huron  River.  Thou  art  still  in  my 
arms  and  in  my  bosom."  '  This  Tawa  chief  is  also  the 
head-chief  of  the  Chippewas,  and  can  call  them  together 
as  often  as  he  finds  it  needful,  for  all  first  comes  to  him, 
and  then  he  communicates  it  to  the  others.  He  lives  op- 
posite Detroit,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river. 

^Although  the  Delawares  and  Wyandots  alwa3^s  de- 
scribed to  us  the  Chippewas  and  Tawas  as  the  wildest 
people,  and  strove  to  paint  them  frightful  to  us,  we  have 
always  found  the  opposite.  They  did  not  do  us  the  least 
harm  over  the  lake,  neither  in  our  cattle  nor  our  fields,  and 
placed  nothing  in  our  way.  Here,  likewise,  we  find  them 
the  same;  we  have  no  reproach  to  make  them,  and  we  see 
now  that  their  chiefs  are  our  friends,  and  better  friends  than 
the  Delawares  and  their  chiefs,  and  whence  comes  this? 
Perhaps  we  can  find  out,  if  we  seek  a  little.  It  cannot 
come  from  this  that  the  Chippewas  are  better  and  more 
virtuous  than  other  Indians,  or  that  they  love  goodness 
more  than  the  Delawares ;  yes,  if  we  went  to  another 
strange  nation,  with  whom  we  yet  have  no  acquaintance, 
we  should  find  the  same,  that  they  would  be  more  kindly 
towards  us  than  they  who  have  known  us  for  so  many 
years  and  have  had  intercourse  with  us.  The  Chippewas 
and  Tawas  are  quite  wild,  raw  heathen,  have  yet  heard  no 
word  of  God,  no  Gospel,  none  of  them  have  yet  been  con- 
verted, have  yet  no  knowledge.  They  love  the  believing 
Indians,  not  because  they  believe  in  Christ,  for  of  this  they 
know  nothing  and  think  nothing  of  it,  but  because  they 
are  an  upright,  orderly,  and  peaceful  folk,  liking  friend- 
ship with  every  one.  They  have  and  know  no  reason  why 
they  should  hate  us.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Delawares 
and  Monseys  have  for  many  years  heard  the  Gospel,  are 
not  so  ignorant  and  blind  as  not  to  know  better,  many  of 


^All  this  to  the  20th  is  crossed  out  in  the  original. 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  439 

them  having  already  become  believers.  Those  now  who 
do  not  wish  to  be  converted  are  opponents,  though  they 
are  convinced  that  the  Gospel  of  Christ  is  the  truth,  for 
they  wish  to  remain  in  sin,  they  become  the  foes  of  it  and 
of  the  believers  also,  if  not  openly,  yet  secretly,  since 
hatred  lies  in  their  hearts.  If  they  come  to  us,  they  are 
our  best  friends,  but  behind  our  backs,  in  their  own  towns, 
they  speak  nothing  but  ill  of  us. 

Wednesday,  20.  Chippewas  again  came  here  and  re- 
mained over  night,  among  them  two  who  had  been  pris- 
oners at  the  mouth  of  the  Muskingum,  in  Fort  Harmar, 
and  in  irons  wherewith  they  were  bound,  but  they  got  free. 
They  gave  as  a  reason  that  they  had  heard  they  would  all 
be  hanged.  All  the  prisoners,  of  whom  there  are  yet  four 
there,  with  their  wives,  lived  on  Sandusky  Bay,  and  are 
well  known  to  us. 

Thursday,  21.  There  came  here  together  Chippewas 
and  Tawas  from  Sandusky  Bay.  An  old  man  made  a 
formal  speech  to  our  Indians,  of  the  following  import,  in 
short:  "Grandfather,  I  come  to  thee  troubled  and  dis- 
tressed, in  hope  of  getting  from  thee  some  comfort  and 
advice,  for  a  short  time  ago,  when  we  were  undisturbed  and 
quiet,  and  were  only  thoughtful  for  our  wives  and  children, 
to  get  them  something  to  eat,  it  happened  one  morning 
unexpectedly  that  a  war-party  from  over  the  lake  came  to 
us  on  its  way  to  the  settlements  of  the  white  people.  This 
pleased  us  not,  and  disturbed  us  in  our  pleasant  repose. 
We  asked  them  who  had  sent  them  at  a  time  when  the 
leading  men  of  all  nations  were  assembled  in  Detroit,  and 
were  working  hard  to  bring  about  a  stable  peace.  They 
answered  that  their  father  over  the  lake  [the  English]  knew 
about  the  thing,  but  we  did  not  believe  this,  and  though 
we  did  every  thing  to  persuade  them  to  turn  back  again, 
representing  to  them  also  that  they  would  bring  into  dan- 
ger many  of  our  young  people  who  were  out  hunting  and 
knew  nothing  of  this,  yet  they  set  out  on  their  way.  Some 
of  our  people  out  hunting,  having  heard  that  the  States 
were  peacefully  disposed  towards  all  Indians  and  received 
them  as  friends,  went  near  the  Fort  hunting.    Just  as  they 


440  zeisberger's  diary. 

came  there  it  happened  that  the  war-party  mentioned  made 
an  attack  upon  the  place  where  preparation  was  made  for  the 
treaty,  and  killed  several  white  people.  This  was  the  cause 
that  our  people,  who  were  out  hunting  and  feared  noth- 
ing, were  captured  and  taken  into  the  Fort,  where  four  of 
them  still  are,  but  two  have  escaped.  We  take  refuge  in 
thee,  grandfather,  and  believe  thou  wilt  not  refuse  to  for- 
ward this,  our  speech,  to  our  elder  brother  in  Pittsburg,  for 
I  have  the  greatest  conjS-dence  in  thee,  and  thou  art  known 
there  also,  namely,  the  following  words :  Brothers,  I  beg 
thee  have  compassion  with  me,  and  let  my  young  people? 
who  are  prisoners,  again  go  free.  They  have  done  thee  no 
harm,  have  not  even  thought  it,  but  were  out  hunting.  If 
thou  will  grant  me  this,  my  prayer,  I  and  all  ray  people 
will  hold  fast  to  the  chain  of  friendship  which  our  old,  wise 
men,  now  assembled  in  the  great  council  in  Detroit,  are 
making,  and"  with  this  string  of  wampum  will  bind  fast 
our  hands  thereto." 

Friday,  22.  The  Chippewas  went  back  home  again, 
and  two  of  our  Indians,  Stephen  and  Boaz,  went  with 
their  speech  to  the  fort.  Meanwhile  many  Delawares  from 
Sandusky  came  here.  Our  Wyandot  also  came  for  a  visit, 
mention  of  whom  is  made  in  last  year's  diary.  When  he 
then  went  away  from  here  to  Sandusky,  the  small-pox 
broke  out  there,  by  which  nearly  the  whole  town  died  out 
and  only  two  families  survived.  This  year  they  have 
built  on  another  site  and  have  burnt  the  old  town.  He 
took  care  of  his  brother  in  his  sickness,  who  died  of  the 
small-pox,  and  then  he  took  the  disease  himself,  but  recov- 
ered. He  said  he  came  here  once  more  to  see  us  and  to 
tell  us  he  had  not  forgotten  what  he  told  us  last  year, 
that  he  remained  thereby;  he  wished  to  and  must  yet  live 
with  us,  and  in  this  purpose  had  not  changed ;  he  waited 
for  his  mother  from  Detroit ;  when  she  came  he  could  tell 
his  mind  to  her,  but  not  persuade  her  to  come  to  the 
church  unless  she  were  so  disposed. 

Sunday,  24.  Br.  Michael  preached,  and  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting.    Two  white  people  came  from  Pitts- 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  441 

burg  with  a  woman.  They  went  on  again  to  Detroit  by- 
water  on  the  26th. 

Monday,  25.  Helen  returned  from  Sandusky,  by  whom 
we  heard  that  the  nations  in  a  few  days  would  come  to- 
gether on  the  Miami,  so  as  to  go  from  there  to  the  Mus- 
kingum for  the  treaty,  but  no  one  yet  knew  precisely 
what  they  had  determined.  The  Indians  are  eyery  where 
in  anxiety,  that  where  the  march  of  so  many  men  is 
made,  their  fields  will  be  eaten  up,  as  if  locusts  came 
there  and  devoured  every  thing. 

Wednesday,  27.  David  held  early  service.  From  De- 
troit a  boat  came  with  thirteen  white  people,  who  went  on 
to  Pittsburg,  Thursday,  the  28th,  for  whom  we  must  get 
seven  horses  ready,  for  some  of  them  were  sick.  Thus  all 
come  to  us,  Indians  and  whites,  seeking  help.  Joseph 
Brant,  with  two  hundred  Mingoes,  is  on  the  Miami,  and 
now  they  will  soon  go  on  to  the  treaty,  for  they  cannot 
stay  there  long,  there  being  but  little  food.  Our  Chip- 
pewa also  arrived,  who  passed  the  winter  with  us  in  Cuy- 
ahoga, with  his  wife  from  hunting.  He  stayed  several 
days  with  us,  for  they  were  pleased  here,  and  our  Abra- 
ham spoke  to  them  the  words  of  life. 

Friday,  29.  We  had  a  pleasant  love-feast  with  the  two 
single  brothers  on  their  birth-day,  wishing  them  the  Sa- 
viour's blessing  from  his  bloody  fulness  for  their  day. 

Sunday,  31.  Br.  David  preached  from  Gal.,  vi.,  7: 
Whatsoever  a  man  soweth,  that  also  shall  he  reap.  Then 
the  widows,  seven  in  number,  all  communion  sisters,  had 
a  blessed  service  from  their  text :  Nevertheless  I  live ; 
yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me,  and  then  we  had  with 
them  a  love-feast.  The  Saviour  showed  himself  very  gra- 
cious to  them,  and  one  could  observe  a  blessed  feeling. 
Edwards  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  Sept.  1.  Michael  held  early  service.  Gelele- 
mend  expressed  again  his  longing  wish  for  baptism.  He 
said :  "  I  am  one  of  the  greatest  sinners,  and  must  be 
eternally  lost,  if  the  Saviour  does  not  pity  me  and  with 
his  blood  cleanse  me  from  my  sins.  In  him  alone  I  put 
my  trust,  for  I  believe  he  has  died  for  sinners  and  has 


442  zeisberger's  diary. 

shed  his  blood  for  me  also,  therefore  I  await  with  long- 
ing to  be  a  sharer  in  grace."  Ah,  how  has  this  man,  the 
great  chief  of  Goschachgiink,  changed  !  How  now  is 
he  become  so  meek,  that  he  comes  like  any  other  sinner, 
weeps  and  begs  for  grace  at  the  Saviour's  feet !  If  we  are 
glad  and  have  compassion,  how  must  his  loving  heart  be 
disposed  towards  such  a  poor  sinner ! 

We  learned  by  way  of  Sandusky  the  comforting  and 
joyful  tidings  that  nineteen  nations  have  united  in  a 
grand  council  for  peace,  and  have  sent  off  an  express  to 
Pittsburg  to  make  known  there  that  they  will  soon  set 
out  for  the  treaty,  where  they  could  be  expected ;  that 
the  nations  have  given  a  sharp  rebuke  to  those  warriors 
who,  contrary  to  all  orders,  have  been  disobedient  and 
have  murdered,  and  they  have  taken  their  prisoners  from 
them,  whom  they  will  bring  to  the  treaty.  We  heard  also 
that  there  is  again  small-pox  in  Sandusky,  and  now  also 
in  the  Mousey  town. 

Thursday,  4.  A  sick  child  of  a  widow  was  baptized  by 
David  before  its  death  with  the  name  Ephraim.  His 
mother  came  here  some  time  ago.  Likewise,  some  time 
ago,  a  woman  came  here  with  her  husband,  with  the  view 
of  lying-in  here,for  she  feared  she  would  die,  being  already 
somewhat  old  and  this  her  first  child.  She  had  a  hard  but 
fortunate  delivery.  This  is  already  become  evident  that 
Indians  in  dangerous,  doubtful  circumstances  take  refuge 
with  the  believers,  thinking  that  if  they  are  with  us  there 
will  be  no  danger,  or  at  least  that  they  will  find  it  more 
tolerable  than  if  they  were  with  the  savages.  Generally 
they  come  not  to  grief  in  this  belief.  We  see  from  this 
how  the  brethren  are  aroused,  like  hawks  for  birds,  to  win 
a  soul  for  the  Saviour,  and  incorporate  it  in  the  church. 
This  evening  also  our  dear  brother,  Schebosh,  died  in  peace,  M 

after  a  nervous  sickness  of  two  weeks.  • 

Friday,  5.  In  tTie  early  service  the  little  son  of  Adam 
and  Sabina,  born  yesterday,  was  baptized  into  Jesus'  death 
with  the  name  of  John  Reuatus.  Towards  evening  the 
remains  of  our  brother,  Schebosh,  who  yesterday  departed 
In  peace,  were  buried,  and  at  the  same  time  with  him  the 


AT   NEW    SALEM,    1788.  443 

little  boy,  Ephraim,  two  months  old,  wlio  was  baptized 
yesterday.  Since  we  find  nothing  written  about  the  former, 
we  will  tell  of  him  as  much  as  we  know  and  can  remem- 
ber. He  was  born  May  27,  1721,  in  Skippac  (Montgom- 
ery Co.,  Pa.),  in  this  country,  came  about  the  year  '42  to 
the  church  in  Bethlehem,  where  he  was  baptized  by  Br. 
Jos.  Spang(enberg),^  and  soon  came  to  the  Lord's  supper. 
He  was  shortly  afterward  brought  among  the  Indians  in 
Meniolagomekak  (Monroe  Co.,  Pa.),  where  a  small  num- 
ber of  Indians  was  served  by  the  brothers,  and  in  Gnaden- 
hiitten,  on  the  Mahony,  where  he  remained  until  it  was 
destroyed  by  the  savages.  In  the  year  1746  he  was  joined 
in  wedlock  with  Christiana,  with  whom  he  lived  in  mar- 
riage forty-one  years,  and  she  died  just  a  year  ago  less 
three  days.  Of  his  children  one  daughter  is  still  here  in 
the  church,  and  two  granddaughters.  His  son  was  among 
the  number  of  martyrs  in  Gnadenhiitten.  •  He  was  besides 
with  the  Indian  church  in  Nain,  near  Bethlehem,  after- 
wards with  a  part  in  Wechquetank,^  until  they  also,  owing 
to  the  troubles  of  war,  had  to  flee  to  the  barracks  in  Phil- 
adelphia. From  there  he  went  in  '65  to  Friedenshiitten, 
on  the  Susquehanna,  in  the  year  '72  to  the  Ohio,  where  he 
lived  first  in  Schonbrunn,  and  last  in  Gnadenhiitten  on  the 
Muskingum,  until  Sept.  3,  '81,  he  went  with  the  Indian 
church  in  captivity  to  Sandusky,  from  which  place,  bow- 
ever,  the  same  autumn  he  went  back  to  Schonbrunn  to  get 
corn,  but  was  there  taken  by  the  militia,  with,  his  daugh- 
ter, her  husband,  and  others,  and  brought  to  Pittsburg, 
where,  however,  they  were  soon  set  free,  so  that  they  could 
go  to  their  friends,  but  he  went  from  there  to  Bethlehem, 
bringing  to  the  brothers  the  first  trustworthy  news  of  the 
whole  occurrence,  and  he  refreshed  himself  in  the  church 
from  the  fatalities  he  had  endured.     In  the  year  1783  he 


^Augustus  Gottlieb  Spangenburg,  ]  704-1 792.  He  was  a  professor  in 
the  University  at  Halle,  a  position  which  he  lost  when  he  became  a 
Moravian  in  1733.  He  was  in  America  eighteen  years,  presiding  over 
the  church.  He  was  known  as  Br.  Joseph. — De  Schweinitz'  Life  of 
Zeisberger,  p.  15. 

^Polk  Township,  Monroe  Co.,  Pa. 


444  zeisberger's  diary. 

undertook  a  journey  to  Detroit  and  Huron  River,  where 
lie  came  to  us  again  witli  Br.  Weigand  at  the  beginning 
of  July,  meeting  there  his  wife  and  daughter,  and  this  was 
to  us  no  common  joy.  There  he  remained  until  in  the 
year  '86,  in  the  spring,  April,  we,  with  the  Indian  church, 
there  assembled,  went  back  over  the  lake  to  Cuyahoga, 
and  in  '87  came  here  to  Pettquotting.  For  a  year  now, 
and  especially  this  sj^ring,  he  failed  noticeably  in  strength ; 
it  could  be  seen  he  was  nearing  the  end.  After  twice  hav- 
ing the  palsy,  he  was  asked  if  he  thought  he  should  die. 
He  answered  witli  composure  and  resignation  :  Yes,  he 
should  indeed  depart,  saying  also  to  his  daughter  that  he 
should  not  recover  from  this  illness.  He  had  no  pain,  but 
spoke  always  of  his  weariness.  He  was  serviceable  to  every 
man,  without  distinction,  white  or  Indian,  at  all  times 
ready  to  help  where  he  could.  He  bore  his  cross  with  pa- 
tience, for  in  this  life  he  seldom  had  things  easy  and  good, 
but  he  was  never  heard  to  complain  or  fret,  even  if  things 
were  hard  with  him,  and  he  had  not  even  enough  to  eat. 
He  loved  and  was  loved;  this  could  be  seen  especially  in 
his  sickness.  The  Indian  brethren  all  found  it  a  pleasure 
to  watch  by  him,  a  number  of  brothers  and  sisters  remain- 
ing with  him  half  the  night  and  longer.  We  shall  long 
miss  him  among  us.  His  stay  here  below  will  remain  to 
us  and  to  the  Indian  brethren  in  blessed  remembrance.  He 
is  now  at  home  in  peace,  and  all  is  forever  well  with  him ; 
of  this  we  are  glad  with  our  whole  heart,  and  thank  the 
Saviour  for  his  election,  but  still  send  tears  after  him.  His 
mortal  life  lasted  sixty-seven  years,  three  months,  and  eight 
days. 

Stephen  came  back  from  the  Fort  with  an  answer  to  the 
message  of  the  Chippewas  about  their  captured  people  on 
the  Muskingum.  In  the  answer  they  were  referred  to 
their  chiefs  and  the  assembled  council  of  the  nations,  who 
h.ad  already  been  enjoined  to  deliver  up  the  murderers, 
which  would  bring  about  the  release  of  their  people,  who 
are  held  till  the  treaty;  the  heads  of  the  nations  should 
give  the  decision. 

Sunday,  7.     At  morning  prayer  we  asked  for  the  near 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  445 

presence  and  blessing  of  our  dear  Lord  for  our  married 
brethren  on  this  day.  Then  they  had  a  service  from  their 
text.  Br.  Edwards  preached.  In  the  afternoon  was  a 
love-feast  for  all  inhabitants.  In  the  congregation  meet- 
ing an  end  was  made  by  the  blessing  of  the  church.  It 
was  a  day  of  blessing  and  encouragement  for  the  breth- 
ren. The  Saviour  made  himself  known  to  us  and  let  us 
feel  his  presence  and  nearness.  In  conclusion,  we  laborers 
had  the  most  holy  enjoyment,  and  strengthened  ourselves 
with  the  body  and  blood  of  our  Lord  in  the  holy  sacra- 
ment. 

Monday,  8.  Jacob  and  his  company  came  from  the  Fort 
and  from  hunting  and  with  them  three  white  people,  one 
a  woman,  on  their  way  to  Detroit.  They  wished  to  have 
Indians  as  escort,  which  we  could  not  give,  but  Ave  advised 
them  against  going  by  land,  as  being  dangerous  for  them, 
as  they  had  cattle  and  must  meet  a  great  number  of  In- 
dians, who  from  hunger  would  take  every  thing  away  from 
them.  TVe  had  much  vexation,  care,  and  trouble  with 
them,  and  were  much  concerned  lest  thev  should  come  to 
harm  here  from  the  Chippewas,  for  they  are  not  very  well 
disposed  towards  white  people,  since  their  people  are  in 
captivity.  Thus  have  we  always  with  the  white  people 
more  trouble  and  plague  than  with  the  Indians;  they  are 
such  a  stupid  folk,  more  stupid  than  Indians.  At  last  we 
found  a  way  out,  since  b}^  land  they  could  go  neither  for- 
wards nor  backwards,  to  get  them  to  Detroit  by  water, 
and  that  finally  happened.  They  set  out  on  Wednesday, 
the  10th,  Andrew  with  them. 

Friday,  12.  An  Indian  from  the  neighborhood,  who  has 
already  been  here  many  days  and  said  he  wanted  to  remain 
here,  but  knew  not  why,  we  bade  go  home.  Michael  held 
early  service. 

Saturday,  13.  David  held  early  service.  Boaz  and 
Michael  came  from  the  Fort,  and  in  the  evening  Thomas 
and  William  with  our  things  from  Bethlehem. 

Sunday,  14,  Michael  preached,  David  conducted  the 
children's  service,  and  Edwards  the  congregation  meeting. 
David    discoursed   to   the   children  about  their  text  this 


446  zeisberger's  diary. 

week.     Children,  obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord,  for  this 
is  right. 

Monday,  15.  David  held  early  service  from  the  Script- 
ure-verse :  But  the  just  shall  live  by  his  faith.  We  had 
news  from  Sandusky  that  five  hundred  Chippewas  and 
Tawas  would  go  through  our  town  on  their  way  to  the 
treaty.  Should  this  occur,  we  could  not  depend  upon  our 
fields,  for  they  would  eat  up  every  thing  they  found.  "We 
thought :  If  the  Saviour  permits  it,  he  has  good  reasons 
for  it.  Perhaps  we  shall  become  known  among  nations 
yet  strange,  and  herewith  we  comforted  ourselves.  If 
only  something  comes  to  the  Saviour  from  this,  all  we  • 
have  shall  stand  at  his  service. 

Wednesday,  17.  Weschnasch  came  here  from  hunting 
and  visited  us.  He  holds  us  dear  and  has  always  so  shown 
himself  towards  us,  that  to  him  the  door  to  the  church 
is  yet  open,  also  on  his  part,  for  if  people  have  once 
sinned  towards  the  church,  usually  they  haye  no  longer  a 
heart  for  us,  but  get  out  of  our  way. 

Friday,  19.  Suckachsiin  came  here  from  the  Fort  with 
liquor.  We  indeed  ordered  it  to  be  taken  care  of,  but  it 
was  not  guarded  and  watched,  and  so  it  happened  that  we 
had  this  night  and, 

Saturday,  20,  a  drunken  bout  in  town,  which  caused  us 
much  uneasiness  and  vexation  till  evening,  when  the  storm 
abated.  This  is  a  matter  against  which  we  must  oppose 
ourselves  with  earnestness  and  all  our  strength,  for  if 
there  shall  be  times  of  peace  this  business  will  be  actively 
carried  on  by  the  savages,  for  they  bring  nothing  more 
willingly  here,  and  are  thus  a  plague  to  us,  and  this  al- 
ready begins,  which  cannot  be. 

Sunday,  21.  Instead  of  the  sermon  Br.  David  delivered 
an  earnest  discourse  and  exhortation  to  all  inhabitants,  re- 
minding those  who  love  the  Saviour  and  wish  to  live  for 
him  in  one  spirit  and  mind,  to  oppose  the  disorder  and 
sinful  things  that  wish  to  come  among  us.  Then  was  the 
communion  quarter-hour,  when  this  matter  was  again 
touched  upon,  and  the  brethren  were  told  that  it  was  sad 
and  distressing  if  from  this  company  brethren  let  them- 


AT   NEW   SALEM,  1788.  447 

selves  be  seduced  to  drunkenness,  thereby  giving  a  bad 
example.  They  were  told  at  the  same  time  that  none  of 
those  could  or  should  come  to  the  Lord's  supper.  Michael 
held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the  text:  Take  heed 
unto  thyself.     We  read  the  church-journal. 

Monday,  22.  Tlie  assistants  had  labor  nearly  the  whole 
day  in  speaking  with  some  brethren  and  new  people,  who 
had  taken  part  in'the  drunkenness,  and  this  was  not  with- 
out use  and  blessing.  Edwards  held  early  service.  A 
woman  died  in  the  neighborhood,  who  lay  sick  for  a  long- 
time, always  longing  and  begging  to  be  brought  to  the  be- 
lievers, among  whom  she  wished  to  die.  'No  one,  how- 
ever, would  bring  her.  Even  yesterday,  her  last  day,  she 
wished  to  come  here  to  us,  and  some  brethren  had  to  go 
there  to  make  her  coffin  and  help  bury  her. 

Thursday,  25.  Edwards  held  early  service  from  the 
Scripture-verse,  which  was  noteworthy  (Hab.  ii.,  14). 

Friday,  26.  Yesterday  and  to-day  there  was  speaking 
with  the  brethren,  for  there  was  much  to  clear  up,  and 
some  had  to  abstain  from  the  Lord's  supper. 

Saturday,  27.  We  had  a  happy  and  blessed  communion, 
though  conscious  of  our  sins. 

Sunday,  28.  At  the  sermon,  which  Br.  Edwards  de- 
livered, was  a  Chippewa,  who  understood  Delaware  and 
Shawano,  and  had  already  before  once  or  twice  been  at 
our  meetings.  He  came  afterwards  to  us  and  gave  us  to 
understand  that  he  would  like  to  hear  something  about 
the  Saviour,  he  would  willingly  listen,  believing  we  knew, 
more  than  he,  what  pertains  to  man's  welfare,  for  he  knew 
not  otherwise  how  to  express  it.  We  soon  gave  him  an 
opportunity,  calling  the  brothers,  Samuel,  Abraham,  and 
Boaz,  the  first  understanding  Shawano  a  little,  the  latter, 
Chippewa.  They  spoke  with  him,  and  he  told  them  he 
was  sorry  he  could  not  understand  all,  and  talk  with  them 
plainly,  for  he  believed  they  knew  what  makes  a  man 
good  and  happy ;  that  knew  he  not,  but  would  gladly  hear. 
He  asked  the  brethren  what  they  thought  about  dreams, 
upon  which  Indians  build  so  much.  He  said  he  would 
not  forget  what  his  father,  who  died  four  years  ago,  said 


448  zeisberger's  diary. 

to  him,  namely,  that  the  Indians  were  not  upon  the  right 
way  to  eternal  life,  they  would  find  it  hard  after  this  life, 
and  had  nothing  good  to  hope ;  that  there  were  Indians 
who  knew  something  better,  how  man  could  attain  thereto, 
to  have  eternal  life,  and  he  who  believed  it  would  live 
forever,  although  he  died.  His  father  had  also  told  him 
that  after  his  death  he  should  not  go  away  from  here,  for 
the  time  would  come  when  the  believing  Indians  would 
come  here  to  Pettquotting  to  live,  to  them  should  he  hold, 
and  from  them  he  would  hear  that  which  he  should  receive 
and  believe.  The  Indian  could  not  then  have  known  we 
should  come  back  over  the  lake,  this  being  in  the  year 
'84,  when  we  ourselves  yet  knew  nothing  thereof.  Since 
that  time  be  had  thought  much  about  it,  when  he  had 
been  hunting  alone  in  the  bush,  and  could  not  forget  it, 
much  less  now,  when  he  saw  that  had  happened  which 
his  father  had  told  him,  and  we  were  now  dwelling  here. 
He  said  that  when  he  came  among  his  people  and  refused 
to  dance,  they  called  him  a  Sunday  Indian,  saying  he 
looked  down  upon  them  and  would  yet  come  to  us.  Sam- 
uel now  began  and  said  to  him  :  "  What  we  now  say  to 
thee,  thou  canst  be  sure  is  the  truth.  N^either  dreams,  nor 
sacrifices,  nor  any  thing  wherein  the  Indians  put  their 
trust,  thinking  thereby  to  get  happiness  and  eternal  life, 
is  of  any  help  or  use,  it  is  all  in  vain,  and  brings  no  com- 
fort nor  hope,  but  God,  the  Maker  of  all  things,  himself 
came  down  from  heaven  to  the  world,  became  a  man,  like 
ourselves,  lived  thirty  years  in  the  world,  then  for  our  sins 
was  nailed  to  the  cross,  with  nails  through  his  hands  and 
feet,  and  his  side  was  pierced  through  with  a  spear,  for  he 
poured  out  all  his  blood.  He  died  upon  the  cross,  was 
buried,  and  on  the  third  day  rose  again.  His  disciples, 
and  those  who  believed  in  him,  saw  him,  and  after  his 
resurrection,  he  tarried  forty  days  here  below,  and  yet 
spoke  much  with  believers  in  him,  telling  them  what  we 
all  must  know  in  order  to  be  saved.  Thus  has  he  won 
life  eternal  and  salvation  for  us  and  for  all  mankind,  in 
laying  down  his  life  for  us  and  pouring  out  his  blood. 
Who  now  believes  this,  him  all  his  sins  are  forgiven,  and 


AT   NEW   SALEM,    1788.  449 

God  receives  him  as  his  child,  he  is  blessed  here  and  for- 
ever. This  alone  it  is  that  makes  us  blessed,  the  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  and  upon  the  whole  earth 
there  is  nothing  else,  or  better,  to  be  found  to  help  us,  and 
even  if  a  man  came  into  heaven,  knowing  nothing  of  this, 
nor  of  the  Saviour  with  wounds  in  his  hands  and  feet,  and 
in  his  side,  heaven  itself  would  to  him  be  a  hell."  The 
Chippewa  listened  devoutly,  and  sat  awhile  deep  in 
thought,  until  he  heard  it  said,  "  He  went  towards  heaven 
and  his  disciples  looked  after  him,"  then  he  asked  if  he 
would  come  again,  and  was  answered:  "Yes,  he  will  cer- 
tainly come  again  and  all  men  will  see  him,  believers  and 
unbelievers,  the  former  will  be  glad  and  live  with  him 
forever,  but  the  others  will  weep  and  groan,  that  were 
such  unbelievers  and  now  see  themselves  deceived." 
Dear  brethren,  this  is  the  first  one  of  the  great,  numerous, 
and  strong  Chippewa  nation  to  ask  about  God,  in  whom 
can  be  observed  an  anxiety  and  longing  to  be  saved,  and 
who  would  like  to  know  how  to  attain  thereto.  He  is 
also  the  Chippewas'  Saviour.  He  will  also  yet  be  known 
of  them  and  prayed  to,  and  his  name  will  be  glorified  by 
them  and  in  their  tongue  in  spite  of  all  hinderance  and 
opposition  of  Satan.  May  he  let  their  time  come  and  their 
hour  soon  strike  !     Amen.     We  read  the  church-journal. 

Monday,  29.  In  the  early  service  consideration  was  had 
of  the  holy  angels,  and  there  was  mention  of  what  we  en- 
joy through  their  service  for  protection  and  care  on  the 
part  of  our  dear  Lord,  many  a  misfortune  and  danger  be- 
ing prevented  by  them,  of  which  we  are  not  in  the  least 
aware,  for  which  we  are  bound  to  thank  him  and  to  praise 
him.  In  the  service  a  couple  of  verses  about  the  holy 
angels  were  translated.  We  thank  the  Saviour  and  his 
atonement  that  his  angels  so  cheerfully  serve  us,  and  that 
they  come  down  from  their  heights  to  aid  in  our  redemp- 
tion. 

Tuesday,  30,  and  Wednesday,  Oct.  1.  The  brethren 
harvested  our  plantation,  at  which  strangers  also  helped, 
who  were  come  here,  which  always  occurs  with  the  great- 
29 


450  zbisberger's  diary. 

est  pleasure,  and  if  one,  from  sickness  or  some  other  rea- 
son, must  omit  it,  to  him  it  is  a  source  of  sadness. 

Friday,  3.  Indians  came  from  the  Fort  with  cattle 
which  they  had  bought. 

Saturday,  4.  This  whole  week  the  brethren  were  busy 
in  their  harvest,  in  which  our  dear  heavenly  Father  has 
richly  blessed  us.  They  were  exhorted  to  enjoy  it  with 
thanksgiving,  and  to  make  careful  use  of  it. 

Sunday,  5.  Michael  preached  about  the  w^edding-gar- 
ment.  David  held  the  children's  service.  Edwards  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 

Monday,  6.     Many  houses  again  built  this  autumn. 

Thursday,  9.  After  early  service,  held  by  Br.  Edwards, 
from  the  Scripture-verse,  a  sick  child,  three  years  old, 
John  Cook's  grandchild,  was  baptized  with  the  name 
Anna  Johanna,  for  which  they  had  begged.  His  oldest 
son,  who  came  here  some  time  ago  with  his  wife  and  child, 
came  to-day  and  announced  his  intention  to  live  here, 
about  which  he  had  spoken  with  the  assistants,  and  was 
received. 

Friday,  10.  After  the  early  service  by  David,  the  breth- 
ren were  told  to  stop  their  labors  upon  their  fields  at 
night,  since  a  disorderly  life  arises  from  it  and  sicknesses 
are  caused. 

Saturday,  11.  Two  white  people  from  Detroit  went 
through  on  their  way  to  Pittsburg.  A  thousand  Indians 
on  the  Miami  at  the  treaty. 

Sunday,  12.  David  preached,  Edwards  held  the  service 
for  the  baptized,  and  Michael  the  congregation  meeting. 

Tuesday,  14.  The  brethren  industrious  in  their  fields. 
Edwards  held  early  service. 

Thursday,  16.  David  held  early  service.  Yesterday 
and  to-day  we  had  trouble  again  with  Indians  who  came 
with  liquor  from  the  Fort,  so  we  had  to  keep  good  watch. 
We  took  their  casks  for  safe-keeping,  as  soon  as  they  got 
here,  from  all  who  came  drunk ;  they  gave  us  trouble,  but 
all  went  ofl' without  much  disturbance. 

Friday,  17.  We  learned  from  Benjamin,  ISTathaniel 
Davis'  son,  who  came  from  the  Fort,  that  Br.  John  Hecke- 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  451 

welder  was  come  there,  wishing  to  get  to  us,  but  after- 
wards he  had  heard  he  was  gone  to  the  Muskingum,  but 
as  we  had  no  letters  or  any  thing  in  writing,  we  could  do 
nothing.  He  said  he  had  delivered  letters  there,  which  a 
white  man  had  taken  with  him  to  Sandusky. 

[Thus  far  sent  to  Bethlehem.] 

Sunday,  19.  Br.  Edwards  preached,  and  David  held  the 
congregation  meeting. 

Monday  20.  Edwards  held  early  service.  We  had  a 
conference  with  the  assistants  about  sending  brothers  to 
the  treaty,  and  four  brothers  were  appointed  to  go.  Gele- 
lemend,  who  is  summoned  there,  as  it  were,  by  the  com- 
missioners, has  no  real  desire  to  go,  and  we  do  not  wish  to 
encourage  him  thereto,  for  he  will  get  nothing  there  for 
his  heart.  Yesterday  again  he  gave  us  to  understand  his 
disposition  and  longing  for  baptism,  waiting  with  eager- 
ness forgiveness  and  cleansing  from  his  sins.  We  con- 
sidered, moreover,  about  a  dwelling  for  John  Cook's  son, 
to  whom  Samuel  has  lent  his  new  house,  also  about  Chris- 
tian's affair. 

Tuesday,  21.  Michael  held  early  service.  By  John 
Leeth,  who  went  to  the  Fort,  we  sent  away  to  Bethlehem  a 
packet  of  letters  and  the  diary. 

Wednesday,  22.  At  the  early  service  the  brethren  were 
reminded  to  get  the  school-house  ready  before  they  went 
away  hunting,  so  that  school  might  begin,  whereupon 
they  went  to  work  at  once.     David  held  early  service. 

Friday,  24.  Michael  held  early  service  about  the  good 
Shepherd  who  laid  down  his  life  for  his  sheep  and  fed  them 
from  his  wounds.  Four  white  people  came  from  Detroit, 
among  them  a  woman  who  had  been  a  prisoner,  whom  a 
boy  and  a  girl  were  to  follow  by  water,  who  were  prison- 
ers, who  afterwards  also  came  here. 

Sunday,  26.  David  preached  and  Edwards  held  the 
congregation  meeting.  From  Detroit  we  had  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Askin,  who  ofiered  to  buy  corn  of  our  Indians  for 
goods,  since  there  this  year  was  a  failure  of  crops,  and  corn 
is  scarce. 
■  Monday,  27.      Michael  held  early  service.     The  white 


452  zeisberger's  diary. 

people  set  out  for  Detroit  who  were  prisoners  from  J^ew 
River/  and  as  they  said,  were  not  over  eighty  miles  from 
the  Wachau  (in  N.  Carolina),  of  which  they  had  heard,  hut 
where  they  had  never  been.  One  of  them  came  back  again 
the  next  day,  sick  and  unable  to  go  farther.  From  the 
Delaware  chief  in  Gigeyunk,  Welandawecken,  a  messen- 
ger came,  bringing  us  a  speech  of  this  import :  "  My 
friends,  ye  believing  Indians  in  Pettquotting,  it  looks  as  if 
we  should  have  bad  times,  for  it  is  still  uncertain  whether 
we  shall  have  peace  or  war,  the  nations  having  been  able 
to  reach  no  conclusion,  and  while  they  have  been  together 
they  have  only  exchanged  words  among  themselves  and 
wrangled,  one  with  another,  so  that  it  does  not  seem  that 
peace  can  be  brought  about.  I  therefore  let  you  know 
hereby  that  it  is  resolved  that  I  and  my  people  shall  settle 
at  the  fork  of  the  Miami,  which  land  the  Wyandot  chiefs 
have  appointed  us  to  live  on,  whither  also  I  invite  you  be- 
lieving Indians  to  dwell  with  us.  Ye  will  therefore  prepare 
for  this  as  soon  as  your  circumstances  shall  permit."  We 
received  this,  his  speech,  and  considered  his  words,  but 
found  therein  nothing  judicious,  for,  in  the  lirst  place, 
there  is  no  mention  made  when  the  affair  was  concluded 
and  who  the  chiefs  and  persons  were,  who  were  present ; 
secondly,  he  gives  no  reason  for  his  pretension  to  the  right 
of  taking  us  away  and  moving  us  from  here ;  nothing  is 
said  of  the  speeches  we  made  to  the  old  Netawatwes ;  also 
he  does  not  mention  the  messages  we  have  received  since  we 
are  this  side  of  the  lake,  and  so  we  can  think  nothing  else 
than  that  he  has  acted  for  himself  quite  alone,  without 
taking  the  advice  of  any  one ;  thirdly,  it  is  not  a  peaceful 
message,  but  a  bad  one.  Thus  we  could  not  accept  the 
message;  he  must  send  us  a  better  one  if  we  are  to  give 
heed  to  it.  We  sent  back  the  messenger  with  the  answer, 
that  we  thanked  him  for  the  news  contained  in  his  speech; 
we  had  hoped,  indeed,  when  they  had  consulted  so  many 
months  and  labored  for  peace,  to  hear  something  better 
and  more  cheerful,  but  we  thanked  him  for  his  trouble  in 


^A  tributary  of  the  Great  Kanawha,  in  the  western  part  of  Virginia. 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  453 

sending  us  a  messenger  to  give  us  information,  and  yet 
that  we  hoped  and  comforted  ourselves  with  the  thought 
that  we  should  hear  still  better  news.  We  exchanged 
strings.  The  brethren  then  let  him  know  that  we  had  in 
our  hands  messages  from  Pipe,  from  the  Wyandots,  and 
from  the  Tawa  chief,  which  in  part  called  us  here  and  in 
part  expressed  their  satisfaction  at  our  living  here,  which 
we  did  not  value  slightly  nor  place  aside  as  bad,  but  held 
to  them  and  would  abide  by  them.  The  messenger  was 
at  the  same  time  come  here  to  call  away  Gelelemend, 
Jacob,  and  his  two  sisters  [but  no  one  gave  heed  to  him], 
and  Thomas,  all  friends  of  the  chief.  If  they  already  thus 
come  forward  it  is  a  sign  that  the}'  have  nothing  good  in 
their  thoughts,  but  intend  war. 

Thursday,  -30.  Our  Chippewa  who,  with  his  people,  had 
passed  the  winter  near  us  in  Cuyahoga,  and  since  then  had 
for  us  love  and  friendship,  who  often  also  visits  us  here, 
whose  brother  is  chief  on  Huron  River,  over  the  lake, 
came  here,  remained  two  days,  and  went  away  with  his 
people  to  the  treaty  on  the  Muskingum.  He  said,  while 
it  was  so  uncertain  in  regard  to  peace,  if  we  wished 
to  go  again  to  our  town  over  the  lake,  and  would  only  say 
the  word  to  him,  that  he  would  accomplish  with  his 
brother  at  the  treaty  that  we  could  move  back  there.  We 
had  always  heard  that  five  hundred  Chippewas  and  Tawas 
would  come  through  here,  but  things  have  changed,  and 
these  are  all  that  come  this  way,  and  they  go  in  company 
with  our  brethren.  We  were  sorry  the  Tawa  chief  did 
not  come  here,  as  he  had  intended.  He  has  fallen  out  with 
McKee,  and  from  vexation  will  not  go  to  the  treaty. 

Saturday,  Nov.  1.  The  brothers,  Samuel,  Stephen, 
Thomas,  and  Tobias,  set  out  for  the  treaty,  on  haviug 
heard  that  the  Indians  wBre  already  gone  from  Sandusky. 
Br.  David  wrote  to  the  Commissioners  that  though  it  was 
not  usual  for  our  Indians,  for  good  reasons,  to  be  present 
at  treaties,  and  Sir  William  Johnson^  never  summoned 


^Sir  William  Johnson  was  born  in«Ireland,  1715,     He  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  1738  to  manage  the  property  of  his  uncle,  Sir  Peter  Warren,  in 


454  zeisberger's  diary. 

them,  but  told  the  Indians  that  the  believing  Indians 
made  him  no  trouble,  being  taught  to  lead  a  spiritual  life, 
but  that  the  others  cost  him  pains  to  keep  them  orderly 
and  peaceful,  yet  we  made  use  of  the  occasion  to  speak 
with  the  Indians  and  nations,  and  to  say  somewhat  to 
them.  He  made  known  to  him  the  chief  thing  we  wished 
to  say  to  them,  and  wished  them  good  success  and  the 
blessing  of  God  for  all  their  plans  and  deliberations  in 
their  council.  We  had  this  summer  often  heard  good, 
favorable  reports  about  peace  with  the  Indian  nations, 
until  at  last  they  assembled  on  the  Miami,  where,  how- 
ever, they  had  done  nothing  but  wrangle  among  them- 
selves, and  the  nearer  the  time  came  for  going  to  the 
treaty,  the  worse  had  been  the  outlook.  What  they  had 
now  done  in  the  Wyandot  towns,  where  they  were  as- 
sembled, of  this  we  had  no  information.  Our  comfort  and 
hope  were  that  the  Saviour  is  yet  President  in  council,  and 
can  bring  their  wicked  plans  to  nought. 

Sunday,  2.  Michael  preached.  David  held  the  congre- 
gation meeting. 

Monday,  3,  was  a  communion  quarter-hour,  and  the 
Lord's  supper  was  announced  to  the  brethren  for  next 
Saturday. 

Wednesday,  5.  Messrs.  Isaac  Williams  and  Parke  came 
here  from  Sandusky,  the  latter,  a  Detroit  merchant,  who 
would  like  to  buy  a  couple  hundred  bushels  of  corn,  of 
which  there  is  great  want  there,  since  last  summer  there 
was  a  failure  of  the  crops,  and  wheat  and  corn  came  to 
nothing  ;  but  we  can  not  advise  our  brethren  to  sell  their 
corn,  for  afterwards  they  will  themselves  come  to  want, 
for  among  the  Indians  especially  in  Gigeyunk  there  is  al- 
ready want  all  the  time. 

Friday,  7.  From  Sandusk}^  we  learn  by  Benjamin,  ]^a- 
thaniel's  son,  that  Br,  John  Heckewelder  had  been  seen  in 


the  Mohawk  valley.  Here  he  acquii'ed  wonderful  influence  among 
the  Indians  by  learning  their  language,  and  especially  by  the  justice 
of  his  conduct  towards  them.  He  took  part  in  the  various  expeditions 
of  the  English  against  the  French  inCanada,  and  in  1759  became  com- 
mander-in-chief.    In  17G5  he  was  made  a  baronet.      lie  died,  1774. 


AT   NEW   SALEM,    1788.  455 

Fort  Harmar  on  the  Muskingura,  and  awaited  brothers 
from  here.  From  Detroit  a  couple  of  white  people  came 
here  on  their  way  to  Pittsburg  and  remained  two  days. 

Saturday,  8.  The  brethren  having  been  spoken  to  on 
previous  days,  we  had  the  most  blessed  enjoyment  of  his 
body  and  blood  in  the  holy  sacrament;  at  this  were  candi- 
dates, John  Thomas,  young  Abraham,  and  Abigail. 

Sunday,  9.  Edwards  preached,  David  held  the  chil- 
dren's service,  and  Michael  the  congregation  meeting. 
Andrew  was  earnestly  and  plainly  talked  with  for  his  dis- 
orderly conduct,  and  he  was  advised  to  go  elsewhere, 
since  he  had  no  disposition  to  live  for  the  Saviour,  where- 
upon he  began  to  weep.  We  wished  he  might  be  thought- 
ful, and  become  concerned  for  himself. 

Monday,  10.  Br.  David  held  the  early  service  about  love 
for  the  Saviour,  which  makes  life  blessed ;  then  he  told 
the  brethren  they  could  now  be  gone  to  their  autumn 
hunt  until  Christmas. 

Tuesday,  11,  and  the  following  days,  the  brothers  went 
off  for  the  autumn  hunt,  the  sisters  for  chestnuts  and 
other  nuts.  We  had  a  hard  day.  Andrew  was  told  to 
leave  our  place,  and  the  day  after  A.  Paulina,  and  this  was 
told  the  brethren  at  morning  prayer. 

Thursday,  13.  Edwards  held  early  service.  Nicholas 
Smaan,  who  has  been  four  years  from  the  church,  came 
with  his  wife,  Johanna,  and  three  children,  John,  Beata, 
and  one  unbaptized  boy,  with  the  view  of  remaining  here. 
Lately  came  here  also  young  Joachim's  wife,  whose  family, 
also  on  the  way  hither,  are  encamped  not  far  off,  for  the 
sake  of  hunting  a  little.  With  the  children  school  was 
again  begun,  which  causes  much  jo}''  and  a  new  pleasure 
among  them.  Indeed,  single  and  married  people,  who 
have  already  had  schooling,  come  to  practice  reading, 
having  now  time  for  it. 

Sunday,  16.  At  the  services  many  brethren  were  pres- 
ent, who  are  hunting  in  the  neighborhood  or  out  for 
chestnuts  and  other  nuts.  Michael  preached  about  the  ad- 
vent of  Christ.     There  was  a  service  for  the  baptized  in 


456  zeisberger's  diary. 

reference  to  the  13th/  which  we  put  off  till  to-day,  so  few 
brethren  were  at  home.  We  begged  him  to  acknowledge 
us  as  his  people,  to  make  himself  known  to  us,  to  op- 
pose Satan  and  all  temptations,  to  interest  himself  faith- 
fully for  his  flock  and  to  feed  us  daily  on  his  merits  and 
sufferings,  and  to  make  us  people  of  his  own  heart,  so  that 
his  name  might  be  glorified  among  the  heathen.  We 
thought  also  of  our  absent  brethren.  We  begged  forgive- 
ness of  all  our  faults  and  shortcomings,  gave  ourselves 
anew  to  his  blessed  rule,  vowed  and  swore  to  him  fealty 
and  obedience.  In  the  following  service  for  the  married 
brethren,  the  single  brother,  John  Thomas,  and  the  widow, 
Cathrine,  were  married.  Meanwhile  we  made  use  of  the 
assistants,  since  during  the  week  they  are  not  at  home, 
but  off  hunting,  to  speak  with  some  people,  and  those 
baptized,  in  particular  with  strangers,  who  are  already  a 
long  time  here  to  no  purpose.  They  were  requested  to 
go  farther,  so  as  to  make  no  trouble. 

Monday,  17.  Edwards  held  early  service.  Late  in  the 
evening  young  Joachim  came  here  with  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren, to  remain.  The  next  day  quarters  were  found  for 
them,  as  likewise  for  Nicholas  Smaan's  family;  with  him 
the  assistants  spoke  yesterday,  and  having  heard  he  was 
an  Indian  captain,  and  so  he  must  go  to  the  treaty  as  part 
of  his  duty,  the  brothers  told  him  he  should  go,  and  if  he 
remained  of  this  mind  and  persisted  in  living  with  the 
church,  he  should  give  up  his  office,  so  that  he  might  not 
be  burdened  in  the  church  with  Indian  affairs,  and  have 
an  unblessed,  unsatisfactory  life,  and  this  he  promised  to 
do.  He  then  went  away  with  Gelelemend  to  the  treaty,  but 
both  left  their  wives  and  children  here.  This  Smaan  was 
a  captain  under  the  chief,  Welandawecken,  so  that  we  can- 
not wonder  that  he  sent  us  an  invitation  to  settle  at  the 
Fork  of  the  Miami,  for  he  sees  that  the  Indians  will  come 
to  us.  This  very  message  the  counsellor,  called  the  Big 
Cat,  was  to  bring  here,  but  as  they  got  news  that  we  had 


1  When  "  The  Brethren's  Church  calls  to  mind  the  important  truth 
that  the  Lord  Jesus  is  the  Chief  Shepherd  and  Head  of  the  Church." 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  457 

a  message  from  the  Tawa  chief,  who  has  established  us 
here,  he  refused  to  be  the  messenger,  saying  it  would  be 
in  vain  and  to  no  purpose,  that  we  would  not  accept  it, 
whereupon  the  chief  got  another  messenger,  who  knew 
nothing  about  the  thing;  he  brought  us  the  message  and 
got  the  proper  answer. 

Wednesday,  19.  A  Frenchman,  accustomed  to  go  about 
among  the  Indians,  came  here,  bag  and  baggage,  and 
wanted  to  quarter  himself  upon  us  unasked  and  unan- 
nounced, for  he  saw  a  large  town  here,  and  gave  out  he 
wished  to  work  for  pay  for  the  Indians,  and  as  he  was  un- 
willing to  be  persuaded  to  go  away,  we  were  forced  to  put 
him  with  all  his  effects  into  a  canoe  and  take  him  away. 

Thursday,  20.  From  Sandusky  came  old  Maria  Eliza- 
beth and  Sophia,  Jacob  Gendaskund's^  only  surviving 
daughter,  for  the  first  time,  who  is  married,  and  they  con- 
stantly attended  the  services.  Several  strangers  have  lately 
been  here  visiting,  among  whom  is  found  at  times  bad  ma- 
terial, who  give  us  trouble  and  have  to  be  well  watched, 
that  they  may  do  no  harm,  for  freedom  in  the  Indian  land 
has  often  bad  results  and  makes  it  hard.  An  unbaptized, 
large  boy,  Cook's  step-son,  came  to  Br.  David  weeping, 
and  upon  being  asked  what  ailed  him,  he  replied  that  his 
step-brother,  a  savage,  had  burnt  his  a  b  c  board,  and  said 
that  if  he  gave  himself  up  to  this  he  would  be  a  good- 
for-nothing  man,  a  worthless  fellow,  and  had  scolded  him; 
he  had  complained  about  this  among  the  brethren,  and  yes- 
terday cried  the  whole  evening  about  it.  He  said  that  if 
his  step-father  went  from  the  church  he  would  not  stay 
with  him,  he  would  not  leave  the  church.  Br.  David  con- 
soled him  and  promised  to  give  him  a  book  in  lieu  of  the 
a  b  c  board,  for  he  had  perfectly  learned  his  alphabet  in 
three  or  four  days,  and  was  already  beginning  to  spell,  for 
if  Indian  children  desire  any  thing  they  apply  themselves 
to  it  day  and  night,  and  become  not  weary. 

Sunday,  23.     Br.  David  preached  about  the  wise  and  the 


^He  had  been  baptized  in  1770. 


458  zeisberger's  diary. 

foolish  virgins,  and  Edwards  held  the  congregation  meet- 
ing.    Several  brethren  came  from  their  hunting-camp. 

Tuesday,  25.  Edwards  held  early  service.  Yesterday 
the  brethren  were  all  awav  for  the  autumn  hunt. 

Wednesday,  26,     The  first  touch  of  snow  fell. 

Sunday,  30.  Edwards  preached  about  the  coming  of  the 
Saviour  into  the  flesh,  and  David  held  the  children's  ser- 
vice upon  the  same  subject,  exhorting  the  children  to  joy 
over  the  Saviour's  birth,  who  thereby  brought  both  them 
and  us  much  good. 

Monday,  Dec.  1.  Strangers  came  here  for  a  visit,  among 
them  A.  Salome.  Old  Maria  Elizabeth  came,  and  in  tears 
spoke  out  her  heart  and  longing  for  comfort  from  the 
Saviour. 

Thursday,  4.  The  people,  especially  the  sisters,  for 
hardly  any  brothers  were  at  home,  got  wood  for  us.  In 
the  afternoon,  toward  evening,  the  brothers,  Samuel,  Ste- 
phen, Thomas,  and  Tobias,  came  back  from  the  Mus- 
kingum, but  could  not  await  the  treaty,  for  the  nations, 
encamped  sixty  miles  from  the  Fort,  will  not  come,  and 
the  affair  may  yet  be  long  protracted.  They  came  back 
thus  without  accomplishing  any  thing,  but  meanwhile  had 
met  there  Br.  Heckewelder  and  Matthias  Blickensderfer, 
(a  surveyor),  and  spoken  with  them.  We  now  got  by  them 
the  letters  and  journals  from  Bethlehem. 

Tuesday,  5.  In  the  mornyig  service  the  greetings  from 
the  church  were  given  to  the  brethren. 

Sunday,  7.  David  preached  about  the  promise  made  to 
the  brethren  in  olden  times  by  the  prophets.  Some  breth- 
ren had  come  from  their  hunting-camp.  Br.  Edwards  held 
the  congregation  meeting. 

Tuesday,  9.  Indians  came  from  Sandusky  here.  A 
large  boy,  who  has  lost  his  parents,  came  to  Br.  David 
and  begged  to  live  here.  Upon  being  asked  why,  he  re- 
plied that  he  was  pleased  here,  and  did  not  like  to  be 
among  the  savages.  When  he  was  told  how  he  would 
have  to  conduct  himself  here,  and  that  we  must  first  know 
where  he  could  live,  which  had  already  been  said  to  him, 


AT   NEW    SALEM,  1788.  459 

he  answered  he  would  like  to  go  to  school,  which  mean- 
while Br.  David  permitted,  till  he  should  be  received. 

Thursday,  11.  Ignatius  came  with  two  white  people,  on 
their  way  from  Pittsburg  to  Detroit.  They  came  to  him, 
where  he  was  encamped,  hunting,  and  were  four  weeks  on 
their  journey.  A  family  was  still  behind  from  want  of 
horses,  for  they  had  lost  theirs,  and  they  went  the  day 
after  to  bring  them  in.  We  heard,  at  the  same  time,  that 
the  Chippewa,  who  is  mentioned  under  Sept.  28th,  and 
had  consulted  the  brethren  about  his  salvation,  had  been 
burnt  while  hunting  by  an  explosion  of  powder,  so  that 
he  will  hardly  recover. 

Saturday,  13.  In  the  assistants'  conference  we  consid- 
ered about  old  Maria  Elizabeth  and  the  boy  who  had  an- 
nounced his  wish  to  live  here.  The  former  was  received 
and  provided  with  shelter,  but  about  the  latter,  we  found 
trouble,  for  we  did  not  know  where  he  would  be  under 
oversight.  On  this  occasion  the  assistants  were  plainly 
told  what  our  plan  is  in  regard  to  the  reception  of  strange 
Indians.  In  the  first  place,  but  chiefly,  if  any  of  our 
baptized  return  to  us,  who  belong  to  us,  but  for  various 
reasons  have  been  separated  from  us,  we  were  bound  to 
take  them,  to  establish  them  again,  and  help  them  to  the 
right  way;  secondly,  if  savages  or  children  came,  asking 
for  reception,  we  were  bound  in  duty  to  help  all,  and  to 
seek  to  bring  them  to  the  Saviour,  for  his  blood  bought 
souls.  Thereby  now  we  are  always  getting  more  labor, 
many  times  want,  also,  care  and  trouble,  but  to  make  it 
more  easy  and  comfortable  for  ourselves,  we  must  not  re- 
fuse people  without  suflicient  grounds  and  send  them 
away,  even  though  they  were  seducers,  who  did  harm  in 
the  church.  This  admonition  was  needful,  for  it  has  hap- 
pened that  people  have  been  received  whom  we  either  had 
to  send  away,  as  they  did  not  behave  according  to  our 
rules,  or  they  have  themselves  gone  away,  and  now  some 
had  come  to  the  disposition  to  receive  none,  or  only  such 
of  whom  we  had  proof  that  they  would  thrive.  Over 
this   matter  the   assistants    afterwards   talked   with    one 


\ 


460  zeisberger's  diary. 

anotlier  by  themselves,  and  discussed  it,  and  it  was  well 
approved. 

Sunday,  14.  Br.  Michael  preached.  In  the  communion 
quarter-hour  Br.  David  announced  the  Lord's  supper  for 
next  Saturday,  and  held  the  congregation  meeting. 

Wednesdav,  17.  John  Leeth  came  back  from  the  Fort 
with  his  wife,  having  visited  her  friends  twenty-five  miles 
from  Pittsburg.  Her  own  sister,  who  yet  knew  her,  for 
they  had  both  been  captured  by  Indians,  knew  her  still, 
but  had  not  known  whether  she  was  still  living,  the  greater 
therefore  was  her  joy  when  she  saw  Elizabeth,^  so  that  for 
a  quarter  of  an  hour  she  could  speak  not  a  word.  She 
and  her  husband  had  yet  something  to  pass  through,  for 
they  were  strongly  urged  by  their  friends  to  remain  there,  m 

but  this  the}'  refused  to  do.     They  were  both  very  glad  to  ^ 

be  with  us  again,  as  if  something  had  been  given  them, 
they  knew  not  what.     David  held  early  service. 

Thursday,  18.  Edwards  held  early  service.  A  Mingo 
came  here  at  night  from  the  Muskingum,  from  whom  we 
learned  that  the  nations  were  at  last  gone  to  the  treaty, 
and  that  we  should  soon  hear  something  thence.  Sev- 
eral of  our  Indians  also  came  home  from  the  autumn 
hunt. 

Saturday,  20.  After  the  brethren  had  been  spoken  to 
the  preceding  days,  whereto  the  Saviour  gave  especial 
grace,  so  that  all  trouble,  which  had  arisen,  was  allayed, 
and  only  one  person  remained  away,  the  communicants 
enjoyed  his  body  and  blood  in  the  holy  sacrament  in  the 
most  blessed  way.  A  sister,  Betsy  Leeth,  was  a  partaker 
for  the  first  time,  and  Boaz  was  a  candidate.  Two  broth- 
ers, Thomas  and  Ignatius,  were  readmitted  after  receiving 
absolution. 

Sunday,  21.  After  the  communion  liturgy,  Br.  Ed- 
wards preached  from  the  Epistle:  Rejoice  in  the  Lord  al- 
way,  and  David  held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the 

^  Butterfield,  in  his  edition  of  Leeth's  Narrative,  Eobert  Clarke  & 
Co.,  1883,  p.  42,  says:  "  Frona  the  descendents  of  Leith,  I  learn  that 
this  young  woman's  name  was  Sally  Lowuey."  See  note,  p.  299.  Under 
Dec.  20,  following.     Zeisberger  names  her  "  Betsy  Leeth." 


I 


AT    NEW    SALEM,    1788.  461 


Scripture-verse  aud  text,  whereby  he  hiid  before  the  breth- 
ren the  example  with  Thomas,  and  said  that  if  a  heart 
begins  to  see  and  recognize  the  .boundless  love  of  the 
Saviour,  it  is  aroused  to  call  out  with  wonder  and  aston- 
ishment: My  Lord  and  my  God. 

Monday,  22.  Much  was  discoursed  to  the  children,  the 
large  boys  and  girls,  about  putting  aside  what  was  unbe- 
coming, for  many  new  people  come  here,  who  do  not  yet 
rightly  understand — for  example,  finger-rings — and  they 
are  hung  with  silver  bells,  coral,  and  wampum,  which  is 
indeed  usual  among  savages,  but  is  unsuitable  for  our 
children,  being  not  savages  at  all,  but  belonging  to  the 
church  of  believers. 

Tuesday,  23.  The  great  boys  and  girls  got  Avood  ready 
for  the  school-house,  in  which  the  brethren  helped  them 
and  went  with  them,  for  it  is  a  pleasure  to  them  that  their 
children  so  industriously  learn,  most  of  those  who  began 
their  a  b  c's  now  beginning  to  spell. 

Wednesday,  24.  Christmas  Eve  began  with  a  love- 
feast.  We  were  joyful  and  thankful  for  the  Saviour's  holy 
birth  and  incarnation,  which  we  considered,  and  to  the 
Infant  in  his  stall  and  manger  we  brought  our  thank-offer- 
ings and  we  sang,  at  which  all  present  were  much  aflected, 
for  the  little  Jesus  [our  heart's  delight]  made  himself 
known  to  his  little  band  here,  gathered  from  the  heathen, 
very  graciously,  of  which  the  tears  on  many  a  cheek  bore 
witness.  At  last  we  kneeled  before  the  manger  and 
brought  him  our  hearty  thanks  for  his  astonishingly  great 
love,  which  he  showed  for  us,  and  also  especially  for  this, 
that  he  had  it  made  known  and  assured  to  us  by  his  blood, 
and  had  given  us  understanding  and  also  enlightened  our 
hearts  by  his  Holy  Spirit.  At  the  end  candles  were  dis- 
tributed to  the  children,  and  they  were  told  how  the  wise 
virgins  went  to  the  Saviour  with  trimmed  and  burning 
hearts,  whereupon  they  all  went  joyfully  home.  At  this 
strangers  were  present  and  also  a  Mingo,  who  had  asked 
to  be  present  at  the  Christmas  Eve  services,  and  was  very 
attentive,  to  whom  the  brethren  had  already  made  the 
Saviour  known,  what  he  had  done  for  us  and  for  all  naj 


462  zeisberger's  diary. 

tions,  and  now  it  only  depended  upon  this,  that  they 
should  receive  and  believe  it,  if  they  vi^ished  to  be  saved. 

Thursday,  25.  Michael  preached  from  the  Gospel, 
Luke,  ii.  Then  the  children  had  a  service,  singing  joy- 
fully and  humbly  the  Infant  Jesus  in  the  manger.  In  the 
following  service,  after  a  discourse  upon  the  day's  text : 
He  is  not  ashamed  to  call  them  brethren,  Gustit,  a  single 
woman,  was  baptized  into  Jesus'  death  with  the  nameRa- 
hel,  which  not  only  made  great  excitement  among  our 
unbaptized,  but  also  among  the  strangers,  who,  to  have  a 
good  view,  stood  up  on  the  benches,  for  they  sat  in  the 
back  part  of  the  room.  Hereby  we  made  to  ourselves  the 
remark  that  all  sorts  of  people  and  nations  listen  here  to 
the  Gospel,  that  nowhere  is  it  less  preached  in  vain  than 
here,  for  it  is  worth  the  trouble,  that  to  the  poor,  blind  In- 
dians, who  know  not  that  they  have  a  Saviour,  this  should 
be  preached,  and  if  we  do  not  at  once  see  the  fruits  thereof 
and  harvest  them,  we  can  certainly  reckon  upon  this,  that 
the  fruit  will  not  be  wanting. 

Saturday,  27.  David  spoke  plainly  with  J.  Cook's  son, 
who  has  sold  his  wife  to  the  French  trader  for  goods  re- 
ceived, and  had  to  keep  away  during  the  holidays,  whose 
father  induced  him  thereto. 

Sunday,  28.  David  preached  from  Gal.  iv,  4  :  But  when 
the  fulness  of  time  was  come,  God  sent  forth  his  son,  etc., 
and  Edwards  held  the  congregation  meeting  from  the 
day's  Scripture- verse. 

Monday,  29.  Michael  held  early  service.  When  hith- 
erto we  had  heard  nothing  about  the  treaty  ^  with  the  In- 
dians, to-day  we  had  the  unplesant  news  by  an  Indian 
from  Sandusky  that  they  were  all  gone  back  home,  hav- 
ing done  nothing,  since  the  Mingoes,  during  their  stay 
there,  were  all  the  time  murdering,  and  thus  no  peace  could 
be.     Of  this  we  heard, 

Tuesda}^,  30,  yet  more  by  a  white  man  from  Sandusky, 
that  some  of  the  Wyandots  and  others  besides,  such  as 
Brant  and  the  Mingoes,  were  come  back  ;  that  the  Indians 


^  This  treaty  was  made  early  the  next  year. 


AT   NEW   SALEM,    1788.  463 

generally  are  very  anxious,  and  the  chiefs  say  that  if  many 
perish  not  now  by  the  sword,  many  must  die  of  hunger,  for 
they  have  nothing  to  live  on  and  would  not  be  able  to 
plant ;  that.Pipe,  with  Wyandots,  Delawares,  some  Tawas 
and  Chippewas,  also  Mingoes,  had  gone  to  Fort  Harmar, 
about  a  hundred,  and  they  were  not  yet  come  back. 

Wednesday,  31.  We  assembled  about  eleven  o'clock 
for  the  close  of  the  year,  having  first  a  love-feast.  We 
called  to  mind  the  great  kindness  and  mercy  enjoyed  from 
our  dear  Lord  this  year,  and  encouraged  one  another  to 
give  him  praise  and  thanksgiving  therefor.  We  find  also 
at  the  end  of  this  year  manifold  causes  to  be  grateful  and 
thankful,  for  he  always  does  better  and  more  blessedly 
in  all  cases  than  we  can  hope  or  expect.  We  asked  his 
forgiveness  of  all  our  faults  and  shortcomings  and  for  his 
acknowledgment  of  us,  his  poor  and  wretched  creatures. 
We  thanked  him  in  particular  for  the  outward  quiet  he 
had  lent  us  this  year  during  our  course  here  below,  and 
we  commended  ourselves  farther  to  the  protection  and 
oversight  of  our  dear  Father  in  Heaven,  especially  as  we 
asrain  find  ourselves  in  uncertain  circumstances,  not  know- 
ing  whether  we  must  soon  again  take  the  pilgrim's  staflt' 
in  our  hands  and  wander  away,  where  the  Saviour,  our 
only  refuge,  conducts  us,  not  after  one  or  another  partic- 
ular way  and  manner,  and  guides  us  for  our  good,  and 
should  it  happen,  as  appears  probable,  we  know  not  at 
all  whither  we  shall  retire  to  find  for  ourselves  a  place  of 
refuge. 

In  outward  affairs  our  heavenly  Father  has  blessed  us, 
has  given  us  bread  and  maintenance,  by  richly  blessing 
our  fields,  though  in  spring  and  summer  there  was  much 
want  and  hunger  among  our  brethren,  and  though  hunt- 
ing was  bad,  and  they  could  get  little  thereby,  yet  we  must 
wonder  how  they  got  clothing,  so  that  they  always  have  it 
in  their  need,  and  go  about  better  clad  than  the  savages, 
who  have  some  silver  hanging  in  their  ears,  their  noses, 
and  about  their  necks  [which  is  their  grand  array],  but 
otherwise  are  almost  naked  and  quite  poor.  All  the  In- 
dians who  come  to  us  are  then  in  perfect  poverty,  have 


464  zeisberger's  diary.  , 

neither  food  nor  clothing,  and  in  their  hearts  nothing  to 
make  them  contented  and  happy,  and  are  thus  equally 
poor  in  body  and  in  soul. 

The  chief  thing  which  gives  us  joy  and  coui'age  is  this, 
that  the  Gospel  of  Jesus,  our  Saviour,  his  incarnation,  pas- 
sion, and  death  for  us  and  for  all  the  world,  is  not  preached 
in  vain ;  we  see  that  it  always  finds  hearts  and  ears.  It 
opens  the  hearts  and  ears  of  the  dead  and  blind  heathen, 
and  brings  to  them  life  and  feeling.  Ah,  may  he  still  give 
us  peace  !  This  would  contribute  to  him  and  his  affair,  for 
if  there  be  war,  the  Indians  have  no  time  to  think  about 
them,  the  yearning  for  murder  leaves  them  no  time  for 
them.  The  festivals,  Easter,  Whitsunday,  Christmas,  etc., 
were  noticeable  and  always  accompanied  with  great  bless- 
ing. 

Baptized,  six  adults  and  six  children.  Received  into  the 
church,  eight.  The  holy  communion  we  had  eight  times, 
whereto  came  two.  Married,  were  three  couples.  Came 
to  the  church,  forty-six  persons.  Died,  four,  namely,  Sche- 
bosh,  Joseph,  Lea,  and  a  child,  Ephraim. 

There  live  here — 

31  married  couples 62 

Single  men 11 

Single  women.. 7 

Widowers 9 

Widows 1 

Big  boys 11 

Big  girls 14 

Little  boys 27 

Little  girls 22 

Total 164 

Among  them  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  baptized  [and 
of  these  forty-nine  are  communion  brethren],  forty-one 
more  than  at  the  close  of  last  year.  We  have  been  forced 
to  send  away  five,  namely,  A.  Salome,  Andrew,  Anna  Pau- 
line, Jeremy ;   John  Martin  went  away  of  his  own  accord 

END    OF   VOL.    I. 


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